Janos Loebe gave Fordham all the scoring it needed. (Photo by Fordham’s SID)

BRONX, N.Y. – Led by senior captains Janos Loebe and Rashid Nuhu, the 25th-ranked Fordham University men recorded a 1-0 win over Columbia University in the home opener at Jack Coffey Field Friday night.

Loebe netted the only goal as Nuhu made two saves for the Rams (4-1-2).

After Sindri Ingimarrson’s header was stopped in the 20th minute by goalkeeper Dylan Castanheira, the Rams broke through on their next scoring chance in the 23rd minute. Johannes Pieles put a through ball to Loebe on the right side of the box that Loebe shot into the bottom left corner of the goal for his second goal this season.

Columbia (3-2-1) tried to even the game late in the first half on a corner kick by Francisco Agrest, but Nuhu made a diving save to the right post on a header by Will Todd.

The Lions had one more scoring chance to find the equalizer after Nuhu was called for a foul after coming to challenge a loose ball. John Denis took the free kick, aiming just under the crossbar. Nuhu got both mitts on it for the save.

Nuhu recorded his second shutout this season, while Castanheira had one.

Fordham hosts Seton Hall University Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.