Box Score Men's College Soccer
Rider University 2, Villanova University 1 (OT)
VILLANOVA, PA—In the 2016 season opener, the Broncs defeated Villanova in a come-from-behind overtime victory Friday afternoon. “We just hung in there,” said Rider head coach Charlie Inverso. “We feel we are never out of it. It was just a great win. A very good way to start. A win over a team like Villanova is something we can all be proud of.”
Rider (1-0) senior Christian Flath (Bargeshagen, Germany) scored 8:58 into the first overtime on a free kick from 25 yards out for the Golden Goal. “It went through the screen and a few other things,” Inverso said.
For Flath, a three-time All-MAAC selection, it was his 24th career goal, his fourth game-winner, and he now has 64 points in 52 career games.
Senior Adrien Huss (Madrid, Spain) scored on an assist by junior Jose Aguinaga (Madrid, Spain) in the 58th minute to tie the score at 1-1. Aguinaga had nine assists last year when he was an ECAC All-Star, an All-Region selection and the leading scorer in the MAAC. “Jose was his usual dangerous self today,” Inverso said.
For Huss, who has only played 47 career games due to injuries (46 starts), it was his fourth career goal from the midfield positon and his 17th career point. “Adrien scored a really nice goal,” Inverso said. “He picked us up right before we had a sub ready to give him a rest.”
Villanova scored on a penalty kick in the 51st minute to take a 1-0 lead. “We got countered on and got called on a penalty kick,” Inverso said. “After that goal our backs were against the wall, on the road.”
Rider out-shot Villanova (0-1) 17-11, including 4-0 in overtime. “It was a pretty even game,” Inverso said. “The (scoreless) first half was very even. I thought they had more of the ball but we had better chances in the first half.”
Rider senior goalkeeper Ryan Baird (Plainfield, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) made three saves and is now 12-4 in the Rider goal. “Baird came up huge with a point blank save pretty early in the game,” Inverso said.
Nova keeper Will Steiner was forced to make seven saves. “Right before the regular time ended Elliott (junior Elliott Otmani) hit a cannon into the upper corner and their keeper (Steiner) made a world-class save on a shot that could have, should have been the game-winner.”
Coach Inverso knows a little bit about 'world class' saves, having been a collegiate goalkeeper himself and a goalkeeper coach on the US U 15 National Team.
Rider and Villanova had not met since the 1980s. The Broncs hold a 5-1 advantage in the series. “Villanova is a very good team,” Inverso said. “I think they are going to do very well this year. They've got talent and depth.”
Rider plays at La Salle on September 2. “Now we rest up and get ready for La Salle,” Inverso said.
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