LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Patryk Rojek (King of Prussia, PA/Upper Merion) scored the equalizer in the 79^th minute as the Rider University men's soccer team earned a point in a 1-1 draw with Manhattan Wednesday night on Ben Cohen Field. With the tie, the Broncs move to 1-7-2 (0-2-1 MAAC), while the Jaspers are now 1-5-2 (0-1-1 MAAC).

The Jaspers struck first in the 12^th minute, with the Broncs misplaying the ball in the box and William Fegerberg intercepting and shooting in one motion into the right upper 90 for a 1-0 lead.

Manhattan maintained the one-goal lead until the 79^th minute, when Rojek dove into a header off Luke Kirilenko's (McKinney, TX/Impington International College [Virginia]) cross from right to left into the box. Rojek beat Manhattan goalkeeper Ludvig Malberg inside the left post to equalize at 1-1.

The Broncs had another opportunity in the 83^rd minute, with Xavi Csato (Stuart, FL/The Pine School [Stetson/UNC Greensboro]) running down a ball over the top near the top of the 18-yard box. Beat to the ball as the last defender, Manhattan's Ibrahima Keita two-hand shoved Csato to the ground from behind, denying the goal-scoring chance for a straight red card. But Csato's attempt from atop the 18-yard box upon the restart sailed high and the game ended in a tie.

Quotes & Notes
"We haven't seen the Rider fight that we normally have all season in my opinion. I finally felt it and saw it today. I think the bench and our staff saw it. We took a step forward on our season. Obviously, we're always hunting three points in the league. But I saw more fight and grit and togetherness in this group that I think we've been lacking, which is the way we play, which is the Rider way. So I was pleased with that tonight." – Rider Head Coach Chad Duernberger

- Marius Helias (Saint Florentin, France) got the start in goal for the Broncs, making five saves.  
- With the tie, the Broncs now lead the all-time series with Manhattan, 15-8-6.
- Helias, Max Schrader (Cherry Hill, NJ/Scholar Athletes Leadership Academy), Leo Arndt (Dusseldorf, Germany/Lore Lorentz College), Drew Heil (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), Ricky Joasilus (Providenciales, Turks & Caicos [UTRGV]), Kaelan Debbage (Queensland, Australia/Kawana Waters State H.S. [Spring Arbor Univ./Gardner Webb]) and Kirilenko each played all 90 minutes.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rojek's goal was his first of the year and second as a Bronc.
- Kirilenko's assist was his first in three years as a Bronc to go along with three goals, all in 2023.  
- Rider took an 11-8 edge in shots, but scored on its only shot on target. Six of Manhattan's eight shots were on goal.   
- Rider took five corner kicks to the Jaspers' four.   
- The Broncs were cautioned twice, while Manhattan was shown one red and one yellow.  

Up Next
The Broncs return to action Saturday, when they travel to Siena. Kickoff from Loudonville, NY, is scheduled for 3 p.m. on ESPN+.