Box Score Men's College Soccer
Rider University 2, LIU Brooklyn 0
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ—On Patriot Day, it was a pair of Frenchmen, a German and a Spaniard who led Rider to victory over LIU Brooklyn Friday night.
Senior Florian Valot (Monaco, France), a First Team All-MAAC selection, took a corner kick from another First Team All-MAAC selection, junior Christian Flath (Bargeshagen, Germany) and scored in the 64th minute of play for the only goal Rider would need.
Nine minutes later sophomore Elliott Otmani (LaCiotat, France) scored his first collegiate goal, on an assist from sophomore Jose Aguinaga (Madrid, Spain) for the final score.
Otmani had six shots, three on goal and two others that hit the post. “This was my first goal in America,” Otmani said with his strong French accent. “I am very happy. I came into this game telling myself I have to get a goal, and I am very happy I did. But the most important thing is that we won the game. The team always comes first. Go Broncs."
“It takes a while for guys to get used to college soccer when they come over from Europe,” said Rider head coach Charlie Inverso. “Obviously Flo is a standout player and really came through on the first goal. Elliott was buzzing around all night and had a couple of near misses. Fortunately he tucked that one away and that second goal made things a lot easier for us.”
Fourteen years ago today, the world as we knew it changed. One positive change that took place in America since then is how much more respectful we are of those in uniform, whether it be military, police or firefighters.
On Friday night those wearing the LIU Brooklyn uniforms gained the respect of the Rider players, coaches and fans.
“LIU is much better,” Inverso said. “They brought in a really good class and they are really a good team. They had the ball on us the first 15 minutes of the game. They moved the ball around nice.”
Rider out-shot LIU Brooklyn (2-3) 18-9, including 12-4 in the second half, but the Blackbirds had the first five shots of the game.
Rider senior goalkeeper Ryan Baird (Plainfield, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) made two saves for his first shutout. Baird was a surprise starter, after junior goalkeeper David Pastuna (Robbinsville, NJ) was named both the ECAC and MAAC Defensive Player of the Week last week. “It had nothing to do with Dave,” Inverso said. “Dave has been playing really well, but we're trying to keep everybody engaged and keep guys fighting for spots. Baird has been working hard and doing a good job and I thought he deserved a shot and he did a good job tonight.”
Rider won 5-2 at LIU last season. Prior to that game the previous four meetings were all decided by a 1-0 score. Rider and LIU are former Northeast Conference rivals. The two teams have now met 14 times since the series began in 1933 with Rider holding a 10-4 advantage.
With the win Rider (3-1) is now 2-0 at home this season and has won 10 of its last 11 regular season home games.
Rider will try to improve on that home record when the Broncs host La Salle Tuesday.
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