(2OT)
Monmouth Hawks (1-8-2, 1-2-1 MAAC) – 2
Rider Broncs (4-4-2, 1-1-2 MAAC) – 2
 
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ  – Behind two equalizing goals and eight saves from redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Sean Murray (Fanwood, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood), the Monmouth University men's soccer team played defending MAAC champion Rider to a draw on Saturday night, 2-2.
 
For the second straight game, freshman Ben Zakowski (Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock) and junior Santo Arena (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel) scored goals for the Hawks. Freshman Julian Gomez (Fairview, NJ/St. Benedict's) picked up his team-leading third assist of the season on Arena's strike.
 
Monmouth is now 1-8-2 (1-2-1 MAAC) on the season, and will return home on Wednesday to face Saint Peter's, which has won three straight conference games.  
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"Our boys showed great character tonight. Rider is an older, experienced team with a very experienced coach. The game was scrappy at times, but we created some really good chances on goal. Tonight was a valuable point on the road in the MAAC." - Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt
 
-Rider took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. After a Monmouth foul just outside the box, the Broncs headed home the cross on the free kick.
-Monmouth answered in the 25^th minute, as Zakowski intercepted a clear attempt and placed it in the lower right corner.
-The Broncs took a 2-1 lead in the 55^th minute, as the goal scorer evaded multiple defenders before a shot to the upper left.
-In the 58^th minute, Gomez made a move down the right sideline and sent a pass to Arena, whose shot sailed above the goalkeeper's hand to tie the game at 2-2.
-Murray came up with a huge diving stop in the 62^nd minute after a corner kick.
-Zakowski created another opportunity in the 85^th minute, evading two defenders to get a shot on goal that was saved.
-Five minutes into the first overtime, freshman Anthony Arena beat two defenders and sent a shot from 20 yards that sailed just wide left.
-Each team registered one shot on goal in the second overtime, but both were saved.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-In 28 career games, Murray has compiled 137 saves (4.9 saves per game).
-Zakowski and Arena move into a tie with Sebastian Rodriguez for the team lead in goals (2).
-Arena now leads the team in points with five.
-Gomez has started all 11 games this season.
-Five of Monmouth's seven shots were on goal.
-Senior Michael Luke started for the first time this season after returning from injury.
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will host Saint Peter's on Wednesday. Kickoff is schedule for 7:00 PM on ESPN+.