Monmouth (3-5-1, 0-1-0 MAAC) – 0
Rider (6-2-0, 1-0-0 MAAC) – 3
 
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – In the first game of 2017 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, the Monmouth University men's soccer team was defeated by two-time defending conference champion Rider, 3-0. Sophomore Geoffrey Schaefer led the team with two shots, while Donovan Pollock, John Antunes, and Anes Mrkulic registered a shot each in the loss. Junior goalkeeper Bobby Edwards made two saves in net, including a diving stop in the 76^th minute, increasing his total to 33 season saves. The Hawks look ahead to MAAC opponent Iona on Wednesday, as the team hosts the Gaels at 7:00 PM on ESPN3.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
-The Broncs got on the board in the 16^th minute, as Elliot Otmani finished from 18 yards out.
-In the 43^rd minute, Otmani increased the lead to 2-0 with a shot to the upper 90 from 35 yards out.
-Shortly after the Rider goal, Mrkulic registered Monmouth's only shot on goal, but it was saved.
-Redshirt freshman Pablo DeCastro sealed the win with his fourth goal of the season in the 61^st minute.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth had the slight 7-5 advantage in corner kicks.
-Edwards made his ninth start of the season in net.
-Freshman Santo Arena earned his second career start.
-Freshman Dan Frisch-Harmon started for the seventh consecutive match.
-Jake Areman, Joey Gudzak, Antunes, and Pollock are the only four athletes to start all nine games this season along with Edwards.

UP NEXT
Monmouth will host Iona on Wednesday, October 4. The game is slated to start at 7:05 PM and will be aired on ESPN3.