NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Sylvain Coco (Nimes, France/University of Montpellier) scored the game-winning goal in the 74^th minute and Pablo DeCastro (Madrid, Spain/Universidad Francisco de Vittoria) added his team-leading seventh goal in the 85^th minute as the fifth-seeded Rider University men's soccer team defeated No. 4 Iona, 2-0 Sunday afternoon on Mazzella Field. With the win, the Broncs (8-9-1) advance to the MAAC Semifinals to face top-seeded Fairfield on Thursday.
  
Following a scoreless first half, the Broncs got on the board in the 74^th minute, when Coco headed in an Elliott Otmani (La Ciotat, France/Bonaparte) corner kick. The Broncs' advantage in the match grew when Iona was forced to play down a man after Gaels' freshman Mauro Bravo was shown a straight red card for dangerous conduct in the 77^th minute. Rider took advantage with DeCastro's tally in the 85^th minute to put the game away.  

Quotes and Notes
"It was a great win. I think Iona is a very good team. I think we dodged a couple of bullets in the first half and I think towards the end of the first half, they stared coming on and we were a little fortunate to get out of the first half. I don't know what would be the exact explanation for it but we just came on and played a fantastic second half. You could feel it was coming. It was a great goal from Coco. Credit to Mark (Pratico). That's his area that he inherited from Larry. It was a fantastic goal. And Pablo's just put it out. He put the game away."

"We did what we wanted to do in the second half. We just had a great second half. There were a lot of guys who played well. (Andrew Crawford) came in, started and played a great first half for us. (Santiago Garcia Castro) came in and played probably 65 minutes and did really well. Everyone had a decent first half. But we all had a great second half. We'll go by the 24-hour rule and enjoy it for 24 hours and then get ready for the next game. But we're finding good form now and defending well." – Rider Head Coach Charlie Inverso

- The win was the Broncs' fifth-straight over Iona, giving Rider an 11-10-1 advantage in the all-time series.
- Iona was unbeaten in its last eight games (7-0-1) on Mazzella Field and 7-1-1 overall at home this season.
- The Gaels were playing their first-ever MAAC Championship home game.
- The clean sheet was the Broncs' third-straight and fifth of the year. Pablo Gatinois (Madrid, Spain/Lycee Francais de Madrid [Oregon State]) made three saves to secure the shutout. Gatinois has been in net for all five Broncs' clean sheets this year.
- The Broncs have now reached the MAAC Semifinals in four-straight years. Rider has also reached the MAAC Championship Game in each of the last three years.
- If Marist defeats Saint Peter's, the Broncs will travel to top-seeded Fairfield on Thursday. With a Saint Peter's win, Rider will face second-seeded Quinnipiac in Hamden.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Otmani's assist, his team-leading ninth of the year, was the 21^st of his career, moving him into a tie with All-American Christian Flath, as well as Neil Charles, for sixth in program history. Otmani's next goal would also make him just the third Bronc to score 30 goals and distribute 20 assists, joining Smith (46 goals, 20 assists) and Craig Wicken (49 goals, 24 assists).
- DeCastro scored his team-leading seventh goal of the year, one off of his 2017 season total of eight. He's now scored 15 goals in less than two years at Rider.
- Otmani has registered a point in all seven Rider wins against MAAC foes this year. He has a goal in four and assists in three more.
- Rider took a 10-9 edge in shots, including an 5-3 advantage in shots on goal.  
- Both teams took four corner kicks.