Box Score Men's College Soccer
Rider University 1, Manhattan College 0
RIVERDALE, NY—In the late 19th century Manhattan's Brother Jasper was credited with inventing baseball's 'seventh inning stretch.'
As the Broncs enter the most crucial 'stretch' of their season, Rider defeated the Manhattan Jaspers in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game Saturday afternoon.
“This is absolutely the most important stretch of the season,” said Rider head coach Charlie Inverso, after the Broncs got back to the .500 mark in the MAAC. “Our playoff hopes are still alive and if we get in the playoffs I think we'll be a tough team to beat.”
Sophomore Christian Flath (Bargeshagen, Germany) scored on a penalty kick to give Rider the victory. Flath entered the game leading the MAAC in scoring and ranks 14th in the nation in points (21) and 15th in goals (9).
It was the fourth time this year and the sixth time in his career that Flath has scored on a PK.
Rider junior Robert Kroschwitz (Pipersville, PA/Palisades) was pulled down in the box, setting up the PK. “Bobby has played the last three games and today he comes in and 40 seconds later he causes the penalty kick,” Inverso said.
It was just the second win (2-4-2) on the road for the Broncs this season. “For a team like us, who hasn't exactly been a good road team this year, and a team that has not been consistent defensively all year, it was a good win,” Inverso said.
Manhattan (1-9-1, 0-5-0 MAAC) out-shot Rider (6-5-2, 3-3-0 MAAC) 14-8. “We played almost flawless soccer in the first half, we just didn't put away our chances,” Inverso said. “They had a lot more corners and more shots but we had more chances.”
Rider sophomore goalkeeper David Pastuna (Robbinsville, NJ) made five saves for his second shutout of the season. “In the final seconds Manhattan had a corner kick and David made a diving save on a great header,” Inverso said.
As a team Rider entered the game ranked eighth in the nation in scoring with 27 goals in the first 12 games.
The Broncs defeated Manhattan 1-0 last year.
Rider owns an 11-4-4 advantage in the series with Manhattan that began in 1997.
Rider hosts Saint Peter's Wednesday evening in an hOURglass Rivalry MAAC game at 7pm. “Now we have two home games coming up,” Inverso said. The Broncs are 4-1 at home this season. “We'll be ready for Wednesday night, absolutely.”
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