TEANECK, NJ – The Rider University men's soccer team fell to Fairleigh Dickinson by a score of 2-1 on Monday night. With the loss, the Broncs fall to an overall record of 2-1-0 while FDU improve to a record of 2-0-1.
FDU possessed the ball well from the back of their line up early to start the match.
Chiemeka Azurunwa had the first chance for the Broncs, blasting his shot over the bar in the 12
th minute. A minute later,
Drew Heil had a chance at goal, finding the ball at his feet and throwing a shot on through traffic, with the opposing goalkeeper guessing right at the near post for the save.
Possession swung back to the Broncs as the press kept FDU pinned back into their half. But the Knights struck first as FDU hit Rider on the counter, beating
Marius Helias at the far post for the first score and the lead. The goal in the 23
rd minute was the first conceded by Rider on the young season and the first time the Broncs have conceded a goal in 299 days.
But the Broncs struck back on the stroke of halftime as
Patryk Rojek scored his first goal of the season off of a turnover by the Knights. Rojek put a shot on goal that was blocked by a defender before finding the ball once again, shooting at an open net to go level before the halftime siren.
FDU had a look at goal in the 54
th minute, hitting the woodwork before sending the rebound shot over the bar. But the Knights took the lead in the 62
nd minute, converting a penalty shot to go up 2-1. After conceding the Penalty, the Broncs could not find a viable option in at goal, rounding out the game in Teaneck.
QUOTES & NOTES
"We had moments where we were very good and moments where you could tell we played Friday night with heavy legs. I liked the effort and the grit from the boys to battle back to get the goal for us to tie it. We were a little bit unlucky on the penalty kick call but, that is how the game goes and we did not create enough in the final third in the second half to tie it back up, I felt like we didn't get enough chances on goal, so we have to look at the final third and see where we can be a little bit better. But, I thought we possessed well, I thought in the middle third we were pretty good and in the second half we just didn't get enough actions to get the keeper to make saves." – Head Coach
Chad Duernberger.
- The Broncs out shot the Knights 11-9 on Monday night, with FDU besting Rider 4-3 in shots on goal.
- Rider garnered more corner kick chances in the game in Teaneck, besting FDU 3-2 in the category.
- Jacobo Cruz was given a yellow card in the 59th minute of the match on Monday night.
UP NEXT
The Broncs return to Lawrenceville on Friday, September 4, facing off against NJIT at 7:00 p.m. at Ben Cohen Field.
