LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Down by a score line of 2-0 at halftime, the Rider University men's soccer team battled back to beat the NJIT Highlanders by a score of 3-2, with
Gavin Faracchio's 88
th minute goal capping the Broncs third win of the year. With the win at Ben Cohen, the Broncs move to a record of 3-1-0 while NJIT falls to a record of 2-3-0.
NJIT struck first, converting on their first shot in the first minute to run out to an early 1-0 lead. Possession changed back and forth in the ensuing minutes, with
Drew Heil recording the Broncs first attempt at goal in the fourth minute followed by a period where the Highlanders help possession in front of Rider's net.
Tim Devine was called into make the first save of the match, blocking a low driven shot on target for his first save of the match.
Rider did a good job to create chances in the middle part of the half, with Heil,
Chiemeka Azurunwa, and
Ryan Vaubel all recording attempts through the middle. But the Highlanders struck again in the 35
th minute to take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
The Broncs held off a flurry of Highlanders attempts at goal to start the second half before
Ryan Vaubel found the net off a give and go pass from Azurunwa to make it a one goal game. Azurunwa was accredited with his second assist of the year.
Holding off a constant barrage of NJIT incursions into their own half, the Broncs struck again in the 74
th minute, with super-sub
Patryk Rojek converting off the bench once again from a ball from Heil, sliding his shot past a wall of defenders to beat the NJIT keeper at the near post, tying the game.
Rider continued to hold off a bevy of attacking opportunities by NJIT, smothering away a good chance at goal from a free kick late in the game. With a free kick awarded to the Broncs with two minutes on the clock, Devine delivered a ball into the box from beyond the hallway line to find the head of a Highlander defender. Faracchio, waiting beyond the box, found the secondary and settled the ball before blasting it over the defense and past the keeper to win the match, sending the Rider sideline into pandemonium.
Quotes & Notes
"Not the start we wanted, not the type of goals we wanted to give up. But my talk at halftime was not as much about tactics as it was about mentality. Your season later on is going to be defined by how you go in and battle in the second half. So, I am excited for these guys, for the fight and the grit they gave to claw back into it, get goals when we needed and the game winner. I never thought we would have a SportsCenter Top-10 moment and we might have two after tonight."
– Head Coach Chad Duernberger
"This is my first real game that counts and what a game it was. Like coach said, not the start we wanted, I think I got to do better in those situations, but you know, first game, a win is a win." –
Goalkeeper Tim Devine on his debut for the Broncs
- Gavin Faracchio notched his first collegiate goal with his 88th minute winner against NJIT.
- Patryk Rojek continues his great form off the bench, scoring in his second game in a row as a substitute.
- Ryan Vaubel scored his second ever goal for Rider during the game and his first since the 3-3 draw away at Siena on October 4, 2025.
- Tim Devine made his debut for the Broncs in goal, recording three saves.
- The Broncs were out shot 21-10 while also being bested in shots on goal 5-4.
- Rider logged six corner kicks awarded in the match to the Highlanders four.
- A physical game throughout the night, both Rider and NJIT were given 16 fouls apiece, with seven yellow cards being dished out during the game, four to the Broncs and three to the Highlanders.
Up Next
A quick turnaround is ahead for the Broncs as they play again on Tuesday, September 7, facing off against Saint Joseph's at 7:00 p.m. in Lawrenceville.
