Men's College Soccer
Iona College 3, Rider University 1
NEW ROCHELLE, NY-The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Iona Friday afternoon. "We started the game off in a hole," said Rider head coach Russ Fager. "We made a mistake in the first two minutes."
Iona (7-8-1, 5-3 MAAC) took a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game and made it 2-0 in the 36th minute. "We were chasing the game from the two minute mark on," Fager said. "Their second goal was a quality one."
Rider senior Andrew Cotes (Selden, N.Y./Newfield) cut the lead to 2-1 with two minutes left in the first half on an assist from junior Sal Lubrano (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central), but that was as close as the Broncs could get.
"We came back and got a great goal from Cotesy," Fager said. "He did a fantastic job. He made a great run and took an absolutely excellent left-footed shot and put the ball in the back of the net."
The goal was the first of the season and eighth career goal for Cotes. "He had an excellent game today," Fager said.
The Gaels took a 3-1 lead eight minutes into the second half.
Iona out-shot Rider (2-14-1, 1-6-1 MAAC) 20-8, including 11-3 shots on goal. Rider had five corner kicks to Iona's two.
Rider sophomore goalkeeper Matt Perrella (North Brunswick, N.J./N. Brunswick) made eight saves. "Perrella played out of his mind today," Fager said. "I felt he made a lot more than eight saves. He did a fabulous job."
Rider lost 1-0 to Iona last season. The last time Rider traveled to Iona the Broncs lost 3-0. Rider and Iona have now met 14 times since the series began in 1997 with Rider winning six (one tie), the last Bronc victory coming in 2005.
The Broncs complete the 2010 season at Fairfield Sunday. "I believe Fairfield is still fighting for a playoff spot and we'd love to be a spoiler on Sunday," Fager said.
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