LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University senior forward Babacar Diene (Thies, Senegal/CEM Ballabey) has been picked to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week, the website today announced. Already the MAAC Offensive Player of the Week, the honor comes after Diene had a natural hat trick and added an assist in the Broncs' 4-1 regular-season-capping victory over Saint Peter's on Wednesday, before scoring on a beautiful strike into the opposite upper 90 from just inside the corner of the 18-yard box in a 3-1 win over Marist in the MAAC Quarterfinals Sunday.

The goals gave him a team-high 11 on the season, while his assist pushed his point total to 25, also a team high. The hat trick was the first by a Bronc in more than nine years. The last Bronc to achieve the feat was Zach Bond on Oct. 22, 2014, also against Saint Peter's, while the last time a Bronc had as many as seven points in a single game came exactly 21 years ago Wednesday, when Sandro DeCristofaro had a hat trick and an assist at Iona on Nov. 1, 2002. For his accomplishments this season, Diene was named to the All-MAAC First Team, with his 11 goals ranking second in the league.

The Broncs return to action Thursday, when they travel to Loudonville, NY, to take on second-seeded Siena in the MAAC Semifinals. Kickoff from Hickey Field is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.