Men's College Soccer
James Madison University 4, Rider University 1
HARISONBURG, VA-Just as you cannot appreciate a good book by reading the final page or final chapter, one cannot get a feel for how the Rider soccer team performed on Saturday by looking at the final score.
"We played an extremely good team today," said Rider head coach Russ Fager. "They have very good players who played with a lot of technical ability and confidence. I believe they'll be ranked in the top 20 in the country soon."
The Broncs lost to host JMU in the first round of the Comfort Inn classic. "The first half we did some good things," Fager said.
JMU's Paul Wyatt, a sophomore from England who was an All-CAA player as a freshman, scored three goals to give the Dukes a 4-0 lead.
For Rider (0-2), sophomore Sam Kotowski (Cranbury, N.J./Princeton) scored with 4:24 left in the game to break the shutout. The goal was the third of his career. Junior Sam Bryant (Burlington Twp., NJ/Burlington Twp.) collected the assist.
The host Dukes took a 1-0 lead on a 45-yard goal midway through the first half. "They got a beautiful goal early," Fager said.
JMU (1-0) out-shot Rider 29-3. "Their first two shots were beautiful shots that went in," Fager said.
Rider sophomore goalkeeper Matt Perrella (North Brunswick, N.J./N. Brunswick) made a career-high nine saves. "I thought Matt played very well in goal again for us," Fager said.
JMU had nine corner kicks to Rider's two. "We had trouble putting things together today," Fager said. "They (JMU) were clearly the better side today."
Rider stays in Harrisonburg to take on High Point Monday. "High Point has some quality players as well," Fager said. "We think we'll be more into the game with them. It will be another good test for us. If we can get into the win column against them it will do a lot to boost our confidence."
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