NEWARK, N.J. | Under the bright lights of Frederick Douglass Field, Dino Branco found the back of the net to break a deadlock in the first New Jersey Athletic Conference game of the season. The Scarlet Raiders (4-4, 1-0) bounced back from their two-game losing skid with a 2-1 win over The College of New Jersey (7-2, 0-1).

Ryan Silva was the first to fire a shot at goal in the game but it would go just wide of goal after Franco Catania beat several Lion defenders on the left flank. Silva would not be deterred but once again saw his shot go wide. 

Kevin Esteves tested Andres Medina 21 minutes into the first half, however, Medina was up for the challenge and kept the ball out of the back of the net. As the first half wore on the Scarlet Raiders began to gain momentum as their quick passing style of play began to break down the TCNJ defense. 

After a constant barrage of attacks, the Scarlet Raiders were finally able to breakthrough. The Scarlet Raiders played a quick free-kick to Joshua Breton-Jones and he was able to get around a TCNJ defender and uncork a shot from 25-yards out to find the back of the net. 

Rutgers University-Newark would head into half with a 1-0 lead, however, that lead would not last long. Just two minutes into the second half, TCNJ was awarded a penalty kick which was converted by Michael Maltese straight down broadway. 

With the game back level, the battle would ensue with both returning to the drawing board to figure out how to take the lead. It would be the Scarlet Raiders that would find that final puzzle piece to take the lead. After playing an integral role in the center of the pitch throughout the game, Joe Alba came out for a breather and was replaced by Dino Branco. That change would prove to be the difference maker in the game. 

Just two minutes after coming on the pitch, Branco received a pass from Catania inside the 18-yard box. Branco took a touch and slipped it past Daniel Mecadon for what would turn into the game-winning goal. 

A scary moment for the Scarlet Raiders come in the 87th minute when Matthew Nastarowicz was wide open back post but headed it over the bar.

Rutgers University-Newark was able to withstand the last barrage of attacks by the Lions to kick off conference play with a win.

Medina made six saves in the contest while TCNJ edged out Rutgers University-Newark 2-1 in corner kicks. 

Up next for the Scarlet Raiders is a home game against Mount Saint Mary College at 7:30 pm on Monday, September 23.