NEWARK, NJ – NJIT scored on a rebound in the ninth minute to defeat the Rider University men's soccer team, 1-0, Saturday night. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 1-3-1, while the Highlanders improve to 1-2-1.

Despite the early chances going in favor of the Broncs, including a series of consecutive Gio Polizzi (San Ramon, CA/Tilden Preparatory [Missouri State]) shots saved in the sixth minute and a Max Schrader (Cherry Hill, NJ/Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy) header off a corner from eight yards out going wide in the eighth minute, NJIT took the lead in the ninth. Sergio Martinez Cubel was able to get off a shot at the 8:44 mark that was saved by Broncs goalkeeper Yoav Arikha (Tel Aviv, Israel/Tichonet). But the rebound went back to Martinez Cubel and he found the back of the net on his next shot at 8:51. The NJIT advantage remained 1-0 at the half.  

Another quality Rider chance came in the 56^th minute, when Ryan Vaubel (Middletown, NJ/Middletown North [West Virginia]) crossed into the box to Lovro Kostanjsek (Domzale, Slovenia/Gimnazija Domzale). Kostanjsek chested the ball down to his feet and shot to the left post, where NJIT goalkeeper Devin Armstrong was waiting for the save. Another near miss came in the 62^nd minute, when Kostanjsek's pass into the box found Xavi Csato (Stuart, FL/The Pine School [Stetson/UNC Greensboro]), but his shot from 15 yards out hit the crossbar.

The Broncs' last solid chance came in the 82^nd minute, when Drew Heil (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) had space atop the box, but his shot deflected wide off an NJIT defender.  

Notes
- NJIT cut the Broncs' lead in the all-time series to 5-3-5. After Rider and NJIT played to ties in three-straight seasons (2021-23), the Broncs earned a 2-1 victory last Sept. 14 on Ben Cohen Field. All 13 meetings have come since 2007 and only once has a team won consecutive games, the Broncs' victories in 2015 and 2016.
- Arikha started in goal for the Broncs, making four saves in defeat.  
- Arikha, Schrader, Leo Arndt (Dusseldorf, Germany/Lore Lorentz College), Theo Da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil/University of Rio Grande) and Ricky Joasilus (Providenciales, Turks & Caicos [UTRGV]) each played all 90 minutes.

Broncs By The Numbers
- NJIT took a 12-11 edge in shots, including a 5-3 margin in shots on goal.  
- Rider took four corner kicks to the Highlanders' one.
- Polizzi put two of his three shots on target, while Kostanjsek added one shot on goal on two attempts.
- The Highlanders were cautioned three times, while Rider was shown one yellow card.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action Tuesday, when they travel to Saint Joseph's. Kickoff from Philadelphia is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.