JERSEY CITY – The Yeshiva University men's soccer team opened the 2021 season with a hard-fought non-conference loss to New Jersey City University, 4-3, at Caven Point Field on Thursday afternoon. It was Yeshiva's (0-1) first regular season match since 2019.

Leading the way for the Maccabees was sophomore forward Lucas Baredes who kicked off his collegiate soccer career by tallying two goals during the contest.

His first goal occurred during the 27^th minute when he pushed down the right side of the field and rifled the ball into the lower left side of the net to break a scoreless tie. Yeshiva went into the intermission up, 1-0.

After the Gothic Knights (1-0) tied it up at one goal apiece, in the 50^th minute, Baredes struck again over six minutes later to allow the Blue and White to retake the lead, 2-1.

However, just over three minutes later, New Jersey City University once again answered thanks to a goal by junior forward Ryan Evande to even up the match with 31:01 remaining in regulation time.

The Gothic Knights continued their momentum by adding goals in the 68^th and 75^th minute to put the Maccabees in a 4-2 hole with 15:12 left to play in regulation time.

Yeshiva would not go down without a fight, as sophomore forward Rafael Cohen wedged the ball past the opposing goalkeeper and into the back of the net to narrow YU's disadvantage to 4-3 with 8:28 to go in the second half. It was the first goal of Cohen's collegiate career.

The Maccabees had multiple opportunities to tie the contest during the closing minutes. Sophomore defender Alan Perl pushed the ball towards the net, with 7:59 left, but was denied by senior goalkeeper Nick Linebaugh. With less than two minutes remaining, first-year forward Alexandre Assouline rifled a shot that missed the net. Seven seconds later, Perl had another opportunity for a game-tying goal, but his shot was once again stopped by Linebaugh. Yeshiva ran out of chances, as NJCU was able to hang on for the season-opening victory, 4-3.

For the afternoon, Yeshiva was outshot, 19-14. New Jersey City University had eight out of the match's nine corner kick opportunities.

In net, junior goalkeeper Benjamin Brener made two saves in relief for Yeshiva.

The Maccabees begin Skyline play on Sunday, as Yeshiva will host College of Mount Saint Vincent in the home opener at Votee Park. The conference clash is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.