LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University men's soccer team drew 1-1 with Manhattan on Saturday night in the Bronx. With the tie, the Broncs move to an overall record of 7-3-3 while moving to a Metro Conference record of 3-2-2. Manhattan moves to an overall record of 3-7-2 with a Metro record of 1-3-2.
Marius Helias opened the match with a save during the first minute of the game to deny the Jaspers an early lead. Helias came up with another save in the 10
th minute to once again deny Manhattan of a score and the keep the Broncs alive early.
Ryan Vaubel had a shot blocked by the defense in the 12
th minute only for the rebound to fall to
Axel Lucas, who put his shot over the bar. The Broncs had a good chance to take the lead in the 15
th, as Lucas played a ball to
Drew Heil whilst streaming through on goal, having his shot blocked by the forthcoming goalkeeper.
Manhattan had a chance to score later in the 17
th minute off a corner kick only for
Michael Holliday to block the shot away with his head and out for another corner. Lucas recorded one more shot on goal in the 30
th minute, having his shot saved by the goalkeeper while the Broncs backline held off multiple chances by the Jaspers to go into the halftime break level at 0-0.
Noah Rose-Smith opened the scoring for the Broncs in the 52
nd minute, playing a ball at the near post from Heil to go up 1-0. The goal stood after a video review check for offsides. Rose-Smith scored his first goal of his collegiate career while Heil was accredited with an assist.
Possession flipped back and forth between the teams until Manhattan converted on a penalty to tie the game up at 1-1. From then on, the Broncs had the better chances, as
Daniel Grider had a shot saved in the 79
th minute and
Chiemeka Azurunwa had a shot saved in the 89
th minute to round out the draw for Rider at Gaelic Park.
QUOTES & NOTES
"We had a slow start to the match, but we got going in a good rhythm as the game went. We were unfortunate tonight to not finish a few more opportunities that we created. You always want 3 points, it's hard to win on the road in this league. We just need to keep adding points. To come away with a point on the road, this will help us. We have some tough tests ahead, but excited to get back home and play on Ben Cohen Field for two of the last three matches of the regular season.'
– Head Coach Chad Duernberger
- The Broncs were barely outshot by the Jaspers on Saturday night 22-21 while also being barely bested 7-6 in shots on goal.
- Heil recorded two shots on goal while Lucas, Azurunwa, Rose-Smith, and Grider all recorded one chance on goal each.
- Helias completed six saves in goal, with three in each half for the Broncs.
- Vaubel, Patryk Rojek, Ryan Kuldanek, and Jacobo Cruz were issued with yellow cards during the match against Manhattan.
UP NEXT
The Broncs return to action on Saturday, October 24, facing off against Marist at 1:00 p.m. in Lawrenceville.
