NEWARK, N.J. – Roc Carles Puig scored in the 17th minute and the Long Island Rough Riders made sure that lead held up as they registered a 1-0 win over Morris Elite SC in a USL League Two encounter at Rutgers University-Newark on Saturday

The Rough Riders (8-2-1, 25 points) extended their lead to four points over idle Manhattan SC (7-1-0, 21) atop the Metropolitan Division while last-place Morris Elite dropped to 1-9-0. Manhattan, which has three games in hand, host the Rough Riders on Wednesday night that could go a long way in deciding the division title.

Goalkeeper Wessel Speel secured the clean sheet. He was called on to make a few late saves, including stopping Alberto Pangrazzi in the 78^th minute and knocking a header out of bounds for a corner kick in the 90^th minute.

Long Island recorded its fourth shutout and its second consecutive clean sheet for only the second time this season, after Wednesday’s scoreless draw at FA Euro New York. The Riders started the campaign with back-to-back 5-0 wins.

If it wasn’t for Morris Elite goalkeeper Alex Velasquez, the Rough Riders could have won by several goals. Velasquez was outstanding, denying and frustrating the visitors on several occasions.

He stopped Ryan Carmichael three times, twice in the second half, in the 48th and 64th minutes. He also denied the Rough Riders’ leading goal-scorer, Matt Vowinkel (10 goals) from celebrating a goal with a diving save to his left in the 54th minute.

Morris Elite’s best opportunity came in the 42nd minute when Alberto Pangrazzi rounded the defense and Speel before placing his shot into the side netting.

After Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. match at Manhattan, the Rough Riders will return home for their final two regular season games. They will welcome the Westchester Flames to the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, N.Y. on Sunday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. before hosting FA Euro New Yok on Wednesday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.