LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Bryan Akongo (London, England/Harris Academy Orpington [Georgia State/Robert Morris]) scored his fourth goal of the year and Patryk Rojek (King of Prussia, PA/Upper Merion) netted his first as a Bronc as the Rider University men's soccer team defeated Mercyhurst, 2-0, Saturday afternoon on Ben Cohen Field. With the win, the Broncs' sixth-straight, Rider improves to 6-2-0. Mercyhurst falls to 3-5-0 with the loss.

Akongo opened the scoring in the 13^th minute, collecting Martin Chladek's (Prague, Czech Republic/Gymnazium Voderadska [Montevallo]) pass over the top from the Broncs' defensive third. With a defender on his hip, Akongo lofted a shot over oncoming Mercyhurst goalkeeper Danilo Abayo Wilson for the 1-0 Rider lead.

Still a 1-0 Broncs advantage 20 minutes into the second half, Rojek collected a Momo Diop (Thies, Senegal/Prive Serigne Touba) cross into the middle of the 18-yard box and calmly shot inside the left post for a 2-0 Rider lead at 65:24. The support was more than enough for Adam Salama (Ramle, Israel/Orthodox [Ottawa Univ.]) and the Rider defense, which secured its third clean sheet of the season.

Quotes & Notes
"I thought we started a bit slow. I think their shape caused us problems. They're a good team. For making the transition to Division I, I think they're going to be just fine in their league. We knew it was going to be a tough game when we watched them on film. It wasn't going to be a rollover game. Happy with how the guys put together a second half that I was happy with. In the first half, I told them not everything is going to be us playing the way we want. Sometimes you show up and your touch is off, your legs are heavy. And those are the game you've got to grit out and get wins. The teams that can grit those out, get wins when they're not playing their best and when they're playing their best as well and get wins both ways are the teams that seem to be having a lot of fun at the end of the year." – Rider Head Coach Chad Duernberger

- The Broncs won the first-ever meeting with Mercyhurst, which began its transition to NCAA Division I and the Northeast Conference this season.
- Salama made three saves in the win, the 17^th of his Rider career and the ninth shutout he's contributed to as a Bronc.
- The Broncs have now won at least six-straight games in consecutive seasons following Rider's seven-match winning streak in the final four of the regular season and three wins in the MAAC Championships.
- Jack McGeechan (Allendale, NJ/Northern Highlands Regional), Chladek, Andrew Erickson (San Antonio, TX/International School of the Americas [Kentucky]), Max Schrader (Cherry Hill, NJ/Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy) and Salama each played all 90 minutes.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Akongo now has four goals and four assists for a team-high 12 points. He's collected at least a point in all of Rider's six-straight wins.
- Rojek scored his first goal as a Bronc.
- Chladek's assist was his first of the year and his second in two seasons as a Bronc.
- Diop stands a point behind Akongo for the team lead with 11 following his assist. He's now collected a point in each of the last five games.
- Mercyhurst took an 11-6 edge in shots. However, both teams put three shots on target.
- Mercyhurst was cautioned six times, with a player being sent off with his second yellow for a red card in the 73^rd minute. Three Broncs was shown a yellow card.  
- The Lakers took six corner kicks to the Broncs' three.

Up Next
- The Broncs return to action Saturday, when they open MAAC play with a rematch of last season's MAAC Championship Game at Iona. Kickoff from New Rochelle is scheduled for noon.