NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark held off a determined Old Westbury team in the second half to post a 3-2 win on Alumni Field.

The Scarlet Raiders were up 2-0 at the break on goals by sophomore Cristina Estremera and freshman Nadine Elebrashy, but the Panthers roared back in the second half to twice trim their deficit to a goal. After Rutgers-Newark built a 12-5 edge in shots during the first 45 minutes, Old Westbury (1-2-0) constructed a 10-5 advantage in the second period.

Sophomore Mercedes Lois picked up a loose ball on the left side and beat the goalie to the left in the 73rd minute to give the Raiders a 3-1 lead – and provide what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Freshman goalkeeper Diana Aviles made two saves while Panther junior Caitlin Thomas stopped five shots.

Estremera headed a corner kick from the left side by senior Renae McEvoy into the right side of the goal in the 25th minute for the match's first tally. Less than 10 minutes later, junior Victoria Nunez sent a cross from the middle to the right side where Elebrashy buried a shot from just inside the 18.

Junior forward Stephanie Maybie fueled the Panthers' second half comeback, collecting the ball after colliding with Aviles in front of the goal and walking in Old Westbury's first tally in the 54th minute.

Maybie sent a crossing pass from the middle to junior midfielder Emily Winberry on the right side of the 18 in the 83rd minute. Winberry sent the shot into the upper right side of the goal to reduce the Raider lead to one for the second time.

But the Panthers would take just one more shot, a long-range attempt by Jenna Donahue in the final minute, as the Raiders folded back into full defensive mode.

Rutgers-Newark (3-1-1), which won its second straight decision, visits Widener University on Saturday for a 5 p.m. match.