Men's College Soccer
High Point University 1, Rider University 0
HARRISONBURG, VA-The Broncs lost to High Point in the second round of the JMU/Comfort Inn Tournament Sunday afternoon, hosted by James Madison. "It was a game we could have won," said Rider head coach Russ Fager. "No question about it. This was the best we've looked this year, by far."
High Point's Shane Malcoln hit the ball off a Rider defender, collected the loose ball and scored from three yards out in the 30th minute of play for the only goal of the game.
"The ball bounced off of four of our players and bounced right back to Malcoln in the box," Fager said.
High Point (3-0) outshot Rider (0-3) 6-5 and had 12 corner kicks to Rider's two. "They are a very good team," Fager said. "They beat Richmond Friday. There weren't a lot of scoring opportunities today. A lot of serves in the box but not many shots."
Rider sophomore Christopher Pimentel (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) played all 90 minutes but was not credited with a save. "Chris did okay but really didn't have a whole lot to do," Fager said. "They only had one quality shot and they scored on it."
"We played with a lot more intensity," Fager said. "It was a whole different game than it was on Friday and last Tuesday. As a team we are playing better. I felt (junior Jim) Bradley (Washington Twp., N.J./Washington Township) had a good game today. He really worked hard and did a lot of constructive things. (junior Andrew) Cotes (Selden, N.Y./Newfield) and (sophomore) Sal (Lubrano of Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) had very good games. Those three stood out today."
Goalie Michael Chesler made one save for High Point.
Rider and High Point have never met before. High Point is located in North Carolina near Greensboro and Winston-Salem and competes in the Big South Conference.
Rider returns to Virginia September 11 to take on Liberty at Virginia Military Institute's Sculley Memorial Tournament. "Liberty is a good side, so it will be a challenge," Fager said. "We'll have to play our 'A' game to win."
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