STONY BROOK, NY – Bryan Akongo (London, England/Harris Academy Orpington [Georgia State/Robert Morris]) scored the game-winning goal in the 82^nd minute and Adam Salama (Ramle, Israel/Orthodox [Ottawa Univ.]) made five saves as the Rider University men's soccer team earned a 1-0 win at Stony Brook Thursday night. With the win, the Broncs improve to 1-2-0, while the Seawolves fall to 0-2-1.

After a scoreless first half in which Adam Salama steered aside the only two shots on goal, the Broncs' junior keeper made another three saves early in the second, including consecutive stops in the 63^rd minute.

The Broncs' offense was able to break through for the game-winning goal in the 82^nd minute, with Akongo intercepting a Stony Brook pass to lead him into the 18-yard box. Akongo beat charging Seawolves goalkeeper Rushon Sandy, shooting left to right inside the right post for the 1-0 lead. The Seawolves got off two more shots in the final five minutes, but couldn't get one on target against the Rider defense.

Quotes & Notes
"So proud of this group tonight. Stony Brook is a strong side and well coached. We knew it would be a tough test for us. Tonight I saw the fight, the grit, the work rate that makes up Rider Men's Soccer. We battled all over the field and tactically grew from last game. We also took a great step forward in our brotherhood tonight. This group just needs to keep growing together. Overall, I'm pleased with everybody's efforts and the bench energy was great." – Rider Head Coach Chad Duernberger

- Rider leads the series with Stony Brook, 4-2-1. The Broncs have won the last three in the series against the Seawolves, including a 3-1 win in Lawrenceville in 2021 and a 2-1 double-overtime victory on a Mathis Catanzaro free-kick golden goal in 2019.
- Freshman Jakub Strapek (Bratislava, Slovakia/Gaudeamus/Cambridge International School) made his first collegiate start for the Broncs.
- Salama made five saves in his first clean sheet of the year.
- Salama, Cole Sotack (Doylestown, PA /Central Bucks East [Rutgers]), Jack McGeechan (Allendale, NJ/Northern Highlands Regional), Martin Chladek (Prague, Czech Republic/Gymnazium Voderadska [Montevallo]), Momo Diop (Thies, Senegal/ Prive Serigne Touba), 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.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Both of Akongo's shot attempts were on target, including his first goal of the season. It was the eighth of his career, with the last being scored last season for Georgia State in a 1-0 win over Coastal Carolina. He also scored five times in 2021 at Robert Morris, while adding one more for the Colonials in 2022. 
- Stony Brook took a 12-9 edge in shots, including a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Seawolves were cautioned twice. Rider was not shown a yellow card.
- Stony Brook took three corner kicks to the Broncs' one.
- Ezra Punselie (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands/Zaanlands Lyceum), Strapek and Adel Al Masude (Brussels, Belgium/GO Lyceum Gent) each put one shot on target.

Up Next
- The Broncs return to action Monday, when they play host to Saint Joseph's. Kickoff from Ben Cohen Field is scheduled for 1 p.m. on BroncVision.