Men's College Soccer
Quinnipiac University 1, Rider University 0 (2 o.t.)
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ—The Broncs lost the season finale in double overtime to the regular season co-champions Saturday night. “This was a tough one,” Rider head coach Charlie Inverso said of the loss. “We didn't get the result we wanted but I really think this was our best game of the year.”
Quinnipiac (9-4-5, 7-1-2 MAAC) scored in the 105th minute of play to defeat Rider (8-9-1, 3-6-1 MAAC) in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game, and tied Monmouth for first place, with the Hawks losing in overtime to Canisius.
“Quinnipiac is a very good team but I think we played even with them tonight,” Inverso said. “That's a good sign for the future, especially since we had six freshmen on the field for most of the game.”
Bobcat Simon Hinde took a shot that was blocked but gathered the rebound and scored with 5:31 left in the second overtime period.
Quinnipiac out-shot Rider 17-11, including 10-3 in the second half and 3-0 in the second overtime.
Rider freshman goalkeeper David Pastuna (Robbinsville, NJ) made five saves.
This was the first ever meeting between Rider and new MAAC member Quinnipiac in soccer.
The game was the final contest for graduating senior Eric Elgin (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley). “He probably went out playing his best game,” Inverso said of his captain, an Academic All-American candidate.
The eight wins for Rider this season was the most since the 2000 team finished 10-10. “I couldn't be prouder of these guys,” Inverso said. “It would have been very easy for them to just tank it tonight with no playoffs, but tonight we were playing for our pride and we were playing for Elgin.”
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