LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The second-seeded Rider University men's soccer team scored three times in just over an eight-minute span to storm past third-seeded Canisius, 3-1, in the MAAC Championship Semifinals Thursday night on Ben Cohen Field. With the win, the Broncs (12-4-2) advance to Sunday's MAAC Championship Game at top-seeded Fairfield, which advanced past Quinnipiac on penalty kicks following a scoreless draw in Thursday's other semifinal.  

The Golden Griffins opened the scoring in the eighth minute, when Filippo Tamburini scored on a penalty kick that was awarded following a takedown in the box. But just over 11 minutes later, the Broncs equalized as freshman Pablo DeCastro (Madrid, Spain) collected a defended corner kick near the top of the box and sent it toward the right post. Fellow freshman Sylvain Coco (Nimes, France/University of Montpellier) deflected it past Canisius goalkeeper Marco Trivellato to even the score at the 18:33 mark.

Just over four minutes later, DeCastro added a goal of his own, taking an Elliott Otmani (La Ciotat, France/Bonaparte) pass wide left and curling it left-to-right inside the right post for what proved to be the game-winner. Continuing the momentum in the 27^th minute, DeCastro collected a turnover in the Canisius defensive third and fed Otmani into the box on the left. The senior then finished low past Trivellato for the two-goal lead.
 
Quotes and Notes
"They're just fighters. I don't know how to explain it. We've just got a competitive group of guys and we've got a competitive culture and it's been that way for the last four years. It kind of comes natural for these guys. They just want to compete and feel confident. I feel tonight was our best effort."

"Elliott's got such a big heart. He's such a fighter. He's such a competitor. He just comes out with fire in his eyes and he seems to make big plays. I love the kid. I couldn't ask for a better captain." – Rider Head Coach Charlie Inverso
 
"I just have to thank my teammates because I'm actually not doing anything special. We're just a team and everyone has a role and the team is helping me a lot. When I have guys in my back such as Kouma, Mathis, Santiago – they defend and work a lot for me. The entire team deserves credit."

"When we have the support from the University, it's just incredible." – Rider Senior Elliott Otmani

- Rider becomes the fifth program in MAAC history to make three-straight MAAC Championship Game appearances, joining Monmouth (2013-15), Loyola (1989-97, 2001-03, 2007-09), Fairfield (1998-2002) and La Salle (1988-90).  
- Rider is now 2-0 in MAAC Championship contests against Canisius and 12-10-2 all-time against the Griffs.
- The Broncs and Stags have faced each other five times in MAAC Championship play, with Fairfield owning a 3-2 lead. However, Rider won the only MAAC Championship Game between the two programs in 1998 for the Broncs second-straight title.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- DeCastro's four points were his most in a single game this season. His two assists pushed his season total from one to three, while he's now got eight goals and 19 points.
- Otmani maintained his one-goal team lead over DeCastro with his ninth of the year as well as a one-point lead over the freshman with 20.
- Senior goalkeeper David Pastuna (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) made four saves.
- The Broncs outshot Canisius, 17-8, including a 9-5 edge in shots on goal.
- Both teams took five corner kicks.