Men's College Soccer
Saint Peter's College 3, Rider University 0
LAWRENCEVILLE?The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game to Saint Peter's Sunday, playing once again with a handful of starters on the bench with injuries. “At this point we're just struggling to field a team,” said Rider head coach Russ Fager. “I think for the most part we gave them a good game. with what we had to work with I'm not walking away upset, I'm walking away frustrated.”
Saint Peter's (8-7-2, 4-3 MAAC) scored in the 25th minute and again in the 36th minute, both goals by Udi Naim, to take a 2-0 lead at the half. “We made two mistakes and they scored on both of them,” Fager said.
Saint Peter's out-shot Rider (2-14-2, 1-7 MAAC) 26-10, including 15-5 in the second half. “Saint Peter's is a very good team,” Fager said, “very technical with the majority of their players foreigners. The biggest thing you have to look at is their size and their skill.”
Rider freshman goalkeeper Chris Pimentel (Brick/Brick Memorial) made 10 saves.
“I thought Sal (freshman Sal Lubrano of Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) played very well and Welna (freshman Matt Welna of Sayerville, N.J./Sayerville War Memorial) did a great job for us back in the back,” Fager said.
Rider lost 4-3 to Saint Peter's in overtime last season in Jersey City.
Saint Peter's advanced to the MAAC Title Game last year and competed in the NCAA tournament, losing 3-1 to Virginia.
Rider and SPC have now met 28 times with Rider holding a 19-9 advantage in the series that began in 1960.
Rider plays its final game of the season Saturday, hosting nationally ranked Loyola in a MAAC game. Rider's graduating seniors will be honored before the game.
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