LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University men's soccer team rounded out a 2-0 win against Mount St. Mary's on Wednesday night. With the win, the Broncs improve to a record of 7-3-2 with a Metro Conference Record of 3-2-1 while the Mount falls to a Metro record of 2-2-2.
The Broncs produced good offensive incursions through the first 20 minutes of the match against the Mountaineers but Mount St. Mary's had the better chances to start the game, with
Marius Helias completing saves in the 2
nd and 20
th minutes to deny the opponents.
Rider opened the scoring in the 27
th minute as
Chiemeka Azurunwa scored a tap in, capitalizing on an error from the Mount's goalkeeper to go up 1-0.
Helias completed a save a minute later to deny the Mount's attack from the kickoff while
Jacobo Cruz had his shot saved on the stroke of halftime, with Rider holding a narrow one-goal lead heading into the intermission.
The offensive onslaught continued for the Broncs to start the half, as six shots were taken by Rider through the first 15 minutes of second half, with three finding the goalkeeper's gloves. The Mount threatened in the 67
th minute as a shot was saved out for a corner by Helias.
The Broncs found the net again in the 83
rd minute to increase the lead to two goals, as Cruz scored on a rebounded save by the Mount goalkeeper to put the Broncs up 2-0.
Ethan Gregory recorded the shot on goal that was saved away before Cruz finished in front of net.
Helias completed another save in the 86
th minute before
Ryan Vaubel had a shot saved away in the 88
th minute, rounding out the final attack and the win for the Broncs on the night.
QUOTES & NOTES
"I thought it was two good halves. But the second half performance, we always love to be able to attack in front of our bench anytime we can in the second half. So, it was a great performance by the guys to go and circulate the ball, take chances, take risks. But when we lost the re-press, win it [the ball] back, go at them again, go at them again, go at them again. So, I thought we did a fantastic job. Our back line continues to amaze me on how well they play together. And the bounce back from last match to this. I couldn't ask for anything more. It was fantastic."
– Head Coach Chad Duernberger
"We just stayed to our tactics. We stayed to our coach's word and we believe in what he says and its been working out for us for the season. So, we're just going to keep doing that."
– Graduate Student Defender Jacobo Cruz
- The Broncs outshot the Mountaineers 24-13 in Lawrenceville while also besting the Mount 8-5 in shots on goal.
- Cruz recorded two shots on the night with both falling on target. Axel Lucas recorded six attempts at goal, with one falling on target while Azurunwa, Gregory, Ryan Vaubel, Carter Schmitz, and Ryan Kuldanek all recording one shot on goal apiece.
- Helias completed five saves in goal, retaining a shutout and earning his fourth clean sheet of the season.
- Yellow cards were issued to Cruz and Lucas in the 22nd and 47th minutes respectively.
UP NEXT
The Broncs hit the road next, facing off against Manhattan on Saturday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. away in the Bronx.
