Men's College Soccer
Rider University 2, Saint Joseph's University 0
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.--The Broncs won their second consecutive game, defeating Saint Joseph's Saturday night. “We did what we needed to do to win,” said Rider head coach Russ Fager. “We just defended well. Saint Joe's didn't get any quality shots. We did a very good job defending.”
Rider (2-3) took a 1-0 lead when sophomore Kevin Juska (Wall) scored his second goal of the season just 3:20 into the game. Juska headed in a pass from junior Colin Jennings (Wall). “Juska collected a pass from Jennings and headed it into the far side netting,” Fager said.
Freshman Jim Bradley (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township), who scored the game-winner in the closing moments against Philadelphia U. on Wednesday, scored again with just 42 seconds remaining to seal the victory. Like the game-winner at Philadelphia U., the goal came on a pass from junior Anthony Gilbert (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks South).
“Gilbert got the ball to Bradley, who made a run across the field, beat a defender, the keeper came out and he just tucked it in,” Fager said. “Gilbert made a real nice entry pass, Bradley made a nice first touch, took the ball from the left side to the right side of the goal, held on long enough and beat the keeper.”
Saint Joseph's (1-3) out-shot Rider 20-6. “Most of the play took place from 18 (yard line) to 18, so no one really dominated play,” Fager said.
Junior Randall Zapolski (Lawrence) made eight saves in the Rider nets for his first career shutout. “Randy had to deal with a lot of serves into the box, some corner kicks, but he didn't need to make any great saves,” Fager said.
The game was Rider's fifth of the season and fourth in Philadelphia. Rider and St. Joseph's had not met since the Broncs defeated the Hawks 4-1 in 1999. Rider is now 11-18-5 against Saint Joe's since the series began in 1963.
The Broncs play the home opener Tuesday at 4pm against Bucknell.
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