LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University men's soccer team recorded a 3-0 win against Niagara on Saturday afternoon at Ben Cohen Field. With the win, the Broncs move to an overall record of 6-2-2 with a 2-1-1 record in the Metro Conference while Niagara falls to a record of 1-5-3 with a 0-2-2 record in the Metro.
With the first shot of the game,
Drew Heil received a through ball through the Purple Eagles back line by
Chiemeka Azurunwa, dispatching the ball past the opponent's goalkeeper and off the near-post for the 1-0 lead and his second goal of the year.
Heil and
Emmanuel Dan-Adokiene had chances later in the 13
th and 17
th minutes respectively, both missing the second goal opportunity. Helias was later called into make a save in the 19
th minute, denying the advancing Niagara attacker and keeping the early lead for Rider.
Dan-Adokiene made up for his missed shot later in the 34
th minute, playing a through ball from Heil while chipping the goalkeeper to the far post to send the Broncs into halftime up 2-0 on the Purple Eagles.
The Broncs started the second half quick, as
Axel Lucas hit a thunderous shot from the edge of the box and past the goalkeeper for the 3-0 lead and his first goal of the 2026 season.
Colton Beuck was accredited with his first assist of the year.
Helias once again went onto make a crucial save in the 80th minute to deny a goal and retain the shutout for the Broncs, rounding out the win.
QUOTES & NOTES
"I thought we had a good start to the match. Obviously, the game changes immediately when you score, but, I really liked us on the ball and how we possessed, and then also defensively. I thought we were very solid, very sound. Obviously, we gave up too many corners which we had to deal with. But overall, I think the performance, you know, you look at result, you look at performance, and the result, we won, and the performance was pretty good. So, out now, it's been a good day on Ben Cohen today."
– Head Coach Chad Duernberger
"We have gotten really off the field, that whole front five, and you can tell it transitions into the game with the way we play, link up, and every game we play, we get closer and closer to that next step."
– Sophomore Midfielder Drew Heil
- The Broncs were narrowly edged by the Purple eagles in total shots 13-12 but bested Niagara 6-3 in shots on goal.
- Heil, Dan-Adokiene, and Lucas were the goal scorers on the day against Niagara. Heil also notched an assist along with Azurunwa and Beuck. Lucas recorded his first goal of the year for the Broncs against the Purple Eagles.
- Marius Helias recorded three saves during the match to maintain the shutout for Rider and earn his third clean sheet of the year.
- Louis Demarest was issued with a yellow card in the 88th minute of the match.
UP NEXT
The Broncs hit the road next, travelling to North Andover, Massachusetts to take on Merrimack on Saturday, October 10 at 6:00 p.m.
