Box Score WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Griffin Tomas' strike in the first minute of the second overtime sent Monmouth University Men's Soccer (3-3-2, 1-0-0 MAAC) past Rider University (3-4-1, 0-1-0 MAAC) Wednesday night, 1-0.
 
Sebastian Rodriguez gained possession and was able to move the ball to Liam McGregor while still on the turf. McGregor threaded one left for Tomas, who used his left foot to blast one inside the far post to win it for the Blue and White just 28 seconds into the second OT.
 
Each team had four shots in the second half, with Monmouth drawing the better of the chances, including one generated by Ben Zakowski. Sean Murray made a key stop on a Rider opportunity in the final minutes to force overtime.
 
Monmouth doubled up Rider in the first half in shots by a 10-5 margin, but neither team was able to convert. The best chance of the period came when Zakowski lined one up from just outside the box, with Rider's Guillaume Veinante making a diving stop to his left to keep it at 0-0.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES

"Tonight was a hard-fought conference game against one of the top teams in our league. I felt the boys deserved the three points. We need to build from this win and get ready for Saturday's game." – Head Coach Rob McCourt
 
"Me and Liam have that chemistry so I knew he was playing me, it was just a clean touch and a clean finish. This is a huge win for us, first conference game at home so it's good to protect the home field. I was kind of in shock when it went in but these are the moments you live for, the excitement after, you can't describe that emotion." – Griffin Tomas
 
-Tomas netted the fourth goal of his career, and first career overtime winner.
-This marked Monmouth's first overtime win of the season, and first since April 8, 2021 at Niagara.
-Monmouth opens MAAC play 1-0 for the second year in a row.
-Liam McGregor's assist was his second of the season and fourth of his career.
-Sebastian Rodriguez's assist was the first of his career, and his first point of the season.
-The Hawks extended its unbeaten streak against Rider to three games dating to 2018.
-MU is now 18-8-4 all time against the Broncs.
-Sean Murray registered his third clean sheet of the season and 11^th of his career.
-Freshman Brett Sieg made his second straight start.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-MU outshot Rider 16-10.
-The Hawks had eight corners to Rider's five.
-Sean Murray made six saves on the night.
-Five Hawks played all 101 minutes.
-The Hawks outshot Rider in the opening half by a 10-5 count.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth continues MAAC play Saturday with a trip to Saint Peter's at 2:00 p.m.