Men's College Soccer
Mount St. Mary's University 2, Rider University 1
EMMITSBURG, MD-The Broncs lost at Mount Saint Mary's Sunday afternoon. "We competed really hard," said Rider head coach Charlie Inverso. "The Mount deserved the win today but I think we gained their respect. The outcome is disappointing but I think we represented the program well today."
The Mount (1-1-1) took a 2-1 lead with a goal in the 63rd minute of play.
Rider junior Brandon Sebastian (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Twp.) scored on a PK 2:14 into the second half to tie the score at 1-1. "Boots stepped up and took it and he took a good one," Inverso said.
The goal was the second on the season for Sebastian, both coming on penalty kicks, and the third in the career of the Bronc defender.
The Mount scored 3:20 into the game to take an early 1-0 lead. "They are a good team," Inverso said. "In the first half we couldn't get ourselves in gear."
The Mount out-shot Rider (1-2) 18-8, including 9-1 in the first half. "The first half was theirs," Inverso said. "They had the better of the play, but in the second half there were a lot of stretches where we were taking it to them."
MSM out-shot Rider 9-7 in the second half. . "We hit the cross bar twice in a matter of five seconds," Inverso said. "(junior Dave) Benavidez (Peoria, Ill/Richwoods) hit the cross bar with a header and Sam (senior Samuel Bryant of Burlington Twp., NJ/Burlington Twp.) followed up with a volley that hit the cross bar and bounced straight down, right on the goal line."
Rider junior goalkeeper Matt Perrella (North Brunswick, N.J./N. Brunswick) made seven saves, as the Mount had nine shots on goal to Rider's two. "Matt had a good game," Inverso said. "He made some good saves and could not be faulted for either goal."
Rider and The Mount were Northeast Conference rivals 1992-96 and split their first eight meetings, 4-4. The last time Rider defeated MSM was 1996, with The Mount now winning the last three meetings.
The Broncs host LIU in the home opener Friday night at 7pm. "It will be good to be home," Inverso said. "I just hope we get a lot of support. We're trying to change things here and it is not going to happen overnight, but we're beginning to play a good level of soccer."
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