Box Score 

WAYNE, N.J. – Despite a late rally, the William Paterson men's soccer team (0-1) dropped its season opener to visiting Scranton (1-0), 3-2, at Pioneer Soccer Park Sept. 1.

The Pioneers owned the early advantage as freshman Mike Lowe (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. DuPont) struck less than four minutes into his collegiate debut, sliding to finish a Steve DeMatteo (Piscataway, N.J./St. Joseph-Metuchen) flicked header. The Royals answered 10 minutes later when Michael Drew's shot from the top of the box found the lower-left corner of the goal, making it a 1-1 score in the 15th minute.

Scranton struck again less than five minutes before halftime as Colin McFadden sent a cross from the right to Corey Radel, who finished with 4:24 on the clock. The Royals scored their third straight unanswered goal midway through the second period, thanks to a Matthew Salvatore blast from the top of the box to make it 3-1 in the 71st minute.

Freshman Kene Eze (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) got the Pioneers within shouting distance when he finished a rebound in the 80th minute, but Scranton goalkeeper Brandon Dombrowski denied all three of William Paterson's chances during the final six minutes to preserve the victory for the Royals.

Dombrowski made seven saves for Scranton, while junior Sam Gerais (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) had two for the Pioneers.

William Paterson will compete at the Roger Williams Classic this weekend, taking on the hosts Saturday, Sept. 4, at 12:00 p.m.