Men's College Soccer
Bucknell University 3, Rider University 0
LAWRENCEVILLE--The Broncs lost to Bucknell Tuesday afternoon. “I thought we had some quality chances in the second half,” said Rider head coach Russ Fager. The loss ended Rider's two-game winning streak.
Bucknell (1-3-2) scored just 8:25 into the game, and it remained 1-0 until the last five minutes. The Bison scored with 4:04 left to play in the second half on a 40 yard rocket off the foot of Alex Russo, who assisted on the first Bucknell goal.
Bucknell scored again with just two seconds left in the game. “Bucknell is a good team and their record does not indicate where they are skill-wise,” Fager said.
Rider (2-4) was held to just one shot each half, while the Bison had 15 shots. “The first half we a hard time figuring out what they were doing and getting pressure on the people with the ball,” Fager said. “I thought we did a much better job of that in the second half for 40 minutes.”
Junior goalkeeper Randall Zapolski (Lawrence) made four saves for Rider.
Freshman Jim Bradley (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township), the MAAC Rookie of the Week last week, continued his high level of play. “I thought Bradley again played very well for us,” Fager said.
Rider and Bucknell have met 30 times since the series began in 1937, with the Bison holding a slim15-14-1 advantage. Bucknell defeated Rider 3-1 in the Bucknell tournament last year. 1992 was the last time Rider defeated Bucknell. Rider and Bucknell were East Coast Conference rivals from 1974-1989.
Bucknell lost two in a row before facing Rider, including a 2-1 loss at Saint Peter's on Saturday even though the Bison out-shot the Peacocks in each half.
Rider travels to George Washington Saturday. “We have our hands full again,” Fager said. “That's the objective, to have your hands full early in the year so when you get to the conference playoffs you are ready to handle it.”
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