Men's College Soccer
Lafayette College 1, Rider University 0 (o.t.)
EASTON, PA?The Broncs took Lafayette (3-3-1) into overtime before losing Thursday night. “Compared to where we were the last few games, we've made leaps and bounds forward,” said Rider head coach Russ Fager. “There was a lot more intensity, a lot more enthusiasm, a lot more looking to do the things we need to do collectively to be successful.”
The host Leopards scored in the 98th minute on a header. “We did a lot of good things defensively, a lot of good things collectively,” Fager said.
Lafayette out-shot Rider 16-4, including 2-0 in overtime. “Lafayette had the better of the shots,” Fager said. “They hit two cross bars. We had two or three pretty good chances that we didn't capitalize on.”
After winning the season opener, Rider (1-5) has not scored in its last five games. “We're still having a problem with possession of the ball, getting people in the right position to get shots,” Fager said, “but other than that this was a major turnaround as far as emotionally goes from the last two games.”
Lafayette goalie Andrew Pianko needed to make one save for the shutout.
Rider (1-5) senior Randall Zapolski (Lawrence, N.J./Lawrence) made five saves. “Randy played very well,” Fager said.
The Leopards hold a 22-17-2 advantage in the series with Rider that began in 1948. Rider and Lafayette were East Coast Conference rivals in the 1970s and 1980s. The last time Rider defeated Lafayette was 1988, with the Leopards winning the last nine meetings.
“Andrew (sophomore Andrew Cotes (Selden, N.Y./Newfield) had a great game today up front for us,” Fager said. “Colin (senior Colin Jennings (Wall, N.J./Wall/Elizabethtown) back in the back and Cam (junior Cameron Bertel (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township) in the center did great jobs. Lafayette has two very strong players up front and they were contained the whole game.”
Rider hosts Delaware Sunday in the home opener. “It's going to be fun to play at home,” Fager said. “It is going to be a whole different thing. We're looking forward to playing in front of our home crowd. Maybe it will inspire the guys to play a little bit better, work a little bit harder in front of their friends and families.”
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