RIVERDALE, NY – The Rider University men's soccer team scored twice in a span of 65 seconds in the 69^th and 70^th minutes to earn a 2-0 road victory at Manhattan Wednesday night. With the win, the Broncs' fourth-straight shutout and fifth-straight win, Rider improves to 11-4-0 (5-1-0 MAAC), good for a league-best 15 points. Manhattan falls to 5-6-2 (3-2-1 MAAC).

After 68 scoreless minutes, the Broncs broke the deadlock in the 69^th minute as Bryan Akongo (London, England/Harris Academy Orpington [Georgia State/Robert Morris]) evaded defenders down the left sideline and into the box before crossing in front to Ezra Punselie (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands/Zaanlands Lyceum) for the one-touch finish in front. Just over a minute later, Akongo, Theo Da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil/University of Rio Grande) and Momo Diop (Thies, Senegal/Prive Serigne Touba) connected passes atop the 18-yard box, with Diop ripping a shot through two defenders and inside the left post for the 2-0 lead.

The support was more than enough for the Rider defense, which posted its fourth-consecutive clean sheet.  

Quotes & Notes
"It was a great road win against a good Manhattan team. I challenged the players to be up for our last road test of the regular season and find a way to score more than one goal. I'm proud of the group. Another shutout and 3 points. I love working with these guys. They continue to make our program, our university and our alumni proud." - Rider Men's Soccer Head Coach Chad Duernberger

- Rider leads the all-time series with Manhattan, 15-8-5. The Jaspers had won four of the last five over the Broncs entering the match.     
- Adam Salama (Ramle, Israel/Orthodox [Ottawa Univ.]) made one save in the Broncs' seventh shutout of the season.
- Salama, Cole Sotack (Doylestown, PA /Central Bucks East [Rutgers]), Jack McGeechan (Allendale, NJ/Northern Highlands Regional), Martin Chladek (Prague, Czech Republic/Gymnazium Voderadska [Montevallo]), Diop, Da Silva, Andrew Erickson (San Antonio, TX/International School of the Americas [Kentucky]) and Max Schrader (Cherry Hill, NJ/Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy) each played all 90 minutes.
- With Wednesday's results around the MAAC, Rider (15 points) sits atop the table, two points ahead of Iona (13 points).

Broncs By The Numbers
- Diop scored his team-leading seventh goal of the year and now also leads the team with 17 points.
- Akongo's team-leading fifth assist also gives him 17 points on the year to tie Diop for the team lead.
- Punselie's goal was his third of the year.
- Da Silva collected his third assist of the year.
- Rider took a 16-10 edge in shots, including a 10-1 margin in shots on goal.
- Manhattan took five corner kicks to the Broncs' one.
- Manhattan was cautioned once, while Rider was not shown a card.   

Up Next
The Broncs return to MAAC action Saturday, when they play host to Marist. Kickoff from Ben Cohen Field is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.