Rider (5-8-1, 4-3 MAAC) – 2
Monmouth (2-12-1, 0-8 MAAC) – 1
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – With the game tied in the 59
th minute, Rider connected on a header following a corner kick to defeat the Monmouth University men's soccer team on Saturday night, 2-1. Junior
George Akampeke scored on a penalty kick right before halftime, but the Broncs regained the lead and were able to hold on for the final 32 minutes. Redshirt freshman
Sean Murray made another five saves in the loss and has 79 total saves on the season, which ranks top-5 nationally. Monmouth will have two more road games in the season, beginning at Iona on Wednesday.
NOTES
-The Hawks honored four seniors before the game, including
Zachary Pereira,
Luke Bromley,
Henrique Joaquim, and
Tim McCahery.
-Despite battling an injury, Pereira started the game on Senior Night and received a standing ovation after being subbed off in the first minute.
-The Broncs got on the board first in the 18
th minute, deflecting a cross inside the far post.
-Murray made multiple saves at the doorstep to keep it a one-goal game in the first half.
-After a foul in the box, Akampeke buried the penalty kick to the right side.
-Rider secured the lead, as Sylvain Coco sent a header to the near side on the corner kick from Clement Bourret, who scored the Broncs' first goal.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Akampeke scored his second career goal.
-Murray has 79 saves on the season, which ranks top-5 nationally.
-Sophomore
Santo Arena registered three shots.
-McCahery played in his third career game.
-Freshman
Liam McGregor made his first career start.
UP NEXT
Monmouth will travel to Iona on Wednesday before ending the regular season at Quinnipiac a week later.
