NEWARK, N.J. - The Union College women's soccer team jumped out to a 1-0 lead, but host Rutgers University-Newark scored two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 win Friday afternoon at Frederick Douglass Field. 

Union opened the game with two shots on goal in the first ten minutes, including a penalty kick opportunity at 9:26 of the opening frame. Junior Sam Friedman scored the first goal of the 2023 season at 15:04 of the first half with her 10th collegiate goal. The Scarlet Raiders knotted the game at one apiece at 29:15 off a goal by Vielka Fernandez.

After outshooting Union 4-2 in the early part of the second half, Rutgers-Newark took a 2-1 lead at 68:30 when Julia Nephew found the back of the net. 

Sophomore Rachel Berliner earned the start and made one save in the opening half. First-year Maya Koster made her collegiate debut in the second half of the game and made three saves. 

Union put 14 shots on goal to the Scarlet Raiders 11 on net. 

The Garnet Chargers kick off a four-game homestand beginning on Sunday with a nonconference match against Wheaton College. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at College Park Field.