NEWARK, NJ— Freshman Clement Bourett’s goal in the 46^th minute was the only scoring for either team Tuesday night, as visiting Rider edged NJIT, 1-0, in men’s soccer non-conference action at Alumni Field on the campus of Rutgers-Newark.

Bourett, the Broncs forward, scored thirty-six seconds into the second half, to break a scoreless tie and give Rider, who is ranked 25th in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com, its third straight win of the season.  Rider opened the 2016 season with a 2-1 overtime win at Villanova and registered a 3-0 shutout at La Salle on September 2.

With the loss on Tuesday, the previously unbeaten Highlanders, drop to 2-1-1.

Bourett’s goal at 45:36 was his first of his career.  The play started with a hard shot by senior forward Zach Bond, which hit off an NJIT defenders head before Bourret gathered the ball and slipped past a diving Victor Pujades.

Rider junior goalkeeper Ryan Baird stopped three NJIT shots to earn the clean sheet.  Baird has allowed just one goal in his three starts this season. 

On the other end, sophomore Pujades finished with three saves.  He got help from the goal frame, as a shot by Rider’s Matt Fryc hit the post in the 59^th minute.  

NJIT’s first scoring opportunity came in the sixth minute on a pass from freshman midfielder Andy Alvarez that slipped by a Rider defender to freshman Rene White, who settled the ball and shot high.

The Highlanders had two scoring opportunities in the 63^rd and 67^th minute.  The first attempt came from freshman midfielder Juan Zapata, as he carried the ball down the right side, shooting wide of the net.  Junior co-captain Mamadou Guirassy had his first opportunity to score in the 67^th minute, settling the ball inside the box off a cross from Alvarez.

The final scoring opportunity for the Highlanders was in the final minute on a header by senior Stephen McGeever but Rider’s Baird stopped his third shot of the game.

Rider out-shot NJIT, 10-6, including 4-3 shots on goal.

NJIT will return action on September 9 when the Highlanders visit Niagara at 5pm.  Last season, the Highlanders recorded a 3-2 overtime victory in Newark on Joshua Mercer’s second goal of the night, a header in the 93^rd minute, clinching a thrilling comeback win.

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