LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University freshman field hockey forward Olivia Machiavelli (Madrid, Spain/International School Sek el Castillo) and senior men's soccer forward Bryan Akongo (London, England/Harris Academy Orpington [Georgia State/Robert Morris]) have been selected McGriff Rider Athletes of the Month for September.  

Machiavelli led the Broncs with six goals and three assists during August and September, propelling Rider to a 5-4 record, including a 2-0 mark in league play. She began her Broncs career with two goals and an assist in a 5-1 win at Colgate, while also contributing with the game-winning goal and an assist in a Sept. 15 win over Georgetown. She also scored twice and added an assist in a 5-3 win at Lock Haven. She was named NEC Rookie of the Week three times.

Akongo contributed four goals and four assists, registering at least point in each of Rider's six-straight wins. He scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory at Stony Brook on Aug. 29, before contributing a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win vs. Saint Joseph's (Sept. 2). He scored the game-winner just 20 seconds into a Sept. 7 win at George Washington and assisted on both goals in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory vs. NJIT (Sept. 14). He also had an assist in a 3-1 win over La Salle (Sept. 17) and scored the game-winning goal against Mercyhurst (Sept. 21).