MONTCLAIR, NJ – Freshman forward Christien Vlahinich (Montvale, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional HS) gave Rutgers-Newark the early lead, but Montclair State bounced back with three unanswered first-half goals for a 3-1 New Jersey Athletic Conference men's soccer victory in the MSU Soccer Park.

NCAA BOX SCORE

Vlahinich put away a header inside the left post on a cross from the right corner from junior forward Joe Caamano (Linden, NJ/Linden) with just 4:40 gone in the contest, but the defending NJAC champion Red Hawks (8-1-1, NJAC 3-1-0) evened things in the 10th minute on a goal by Chris Edelschein.

Edelschein assisted on the game-winning tally by John Esposito in the 38th minute before Owen Nichols added an insurance goal in the 42nd minute.

Freshman goalkeeper Jonathan Frances (Chandler, AZ/Hamilton) gave up all three goals, making six saves while facing 16 shots in the first half. Classmante Matt Zielyk (West Orange, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) played the second half, getting one save while facing just four shots. The Red Hawks held a 20-7 edge in shots and served a dozen corners to the Raiders' three.

Rutgers-Newark (5-3-1, NJAC 0-2-0) now hosts The College of New Jersey on Alumni Field on Saturday at 7 p.m.