Men's College Soccer

Monmouth University 1, Rider University 0

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ— Guidance counselors cannot emphasis enough the importance of making a good first impression.

New Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference member Monmouth University is sure making a good first impression, defeating Rider Wednesday night to remain undefeated in MAAC play.

“Monmouth is a very good program,” said Rider head coach Charlie Inverso.  “They are picked to win the league and they're in first place. I'm very disappointed about losing but I feel there is a bright future here. I feel we more than held our own tonight.”

Monmouth (4-5-3, 3-0-1) scored with 5:03 left in the first half when Colin Stripling sent a ball into the box that Jacob Rubinstein just got his head on and redirected it past Rider freshman goalkeeper David Pastuna (Robbinsville, NJ).

Monmouth out-shot Rider (6-5-1, 1-2-1 MAAC) 7-6, including 5-1 in shots on goal. “I felt we were right in the game,” Inverso said.  “We competed with them.  Our guys competed pretty hard tonight.”

Pastuna made four saves for the Broncs.

“I thought Greco (sophomore James Greco of Long Valley, NJ/West Morris) had a good game for us,” Inverso said. “Our back four was pretty solid. They didn't break us down that much.”

Rider lost 2-0 to Monmouth in the 2012 season opener. Rider last defeated the Hawks in 1998. Rider is now 6-14-2 in the 22 meetings with Monmouth.  “I think we closed the gap a little bit,” Inverso said. “We're getting better and we're competing.”

Rider was 3-2 vs. Monmouth in NEC play.

Rider hosts Manhattan Saturday at 1pm. “We're looking at this game as one we have to win,” Inverso said. “We have to get this one and get right back in the league standings. The league is wide open and we thing we're as good as any team in the league.”

-ru-