Broncs sneak past Fairfield in MAAC win

By Rich Saile

On Oct. 19, the Rider men’s soccer team traveled to Fairfield, Connecticut to take on the Fairfield Stags. 

‘Stalemate of the defenses’

The Broncs started the game relying on their stout defense, with two saves from junior goaltender Adam Salama. The Stags missed three shots within the first 30 minutes of the game. 

The Broncs offense tried for a goal three minutes into the game but to no avail. The Broncs then missed their next few  shots, as both teams were stuck in a defensive deadlock.

Following halftime, Fairfield’s offense came out aggressively, looking to break the stalemate. The Stags quickly moved the ball on the Broncs’ end of the field with two shot attempts, but both missed.

The Broncs got the ball back on the Stags’ end of the field for three opportunities to convert on corner kicks, but they could not find the back of the net. 

The Stags offense continued aggressively and had their fair share of corner kicks, but they missed three shots and two corners. 

The Broncs worked their way back to the Stags’ side of the field. After three missed corner kicks and a missed shot, the Broncs seized their chance.

Senior midfielder Bryan Akongo shot the ball through the net to give the Broncs a 1-0 lead. 

The Stags intensified their offensive attack to try and tie the game at the end of regulation, but the Broncs defense held off two critical shots, including a save by Salama with five minutes left in the game. The Broncs held on for the 1-0 win.

“All the coaches tell me in training that, every time you sense that someone is about to shoot the ball, always follow up, ‘cause you never know what might happen. Thankfully Adel [Al Musade] hit a really good shot. I was … just trying to get as best as a connection as I possibly could, and thankfully it went in,” Akongo said after the win. 

“Bryan [Akongo], as a player, fits every positional characteristic you want in a center forward: he can run in behind, he has good holdup play so we can play into his feet and he scores goals in different ways, ” Rider Head Coach Chad Duernberger said.  “On top of that I think he has really blended well with the group and has the confidence of the team as our center forward, which is a key piece..” 

The Broncs have won six of their last eight matchups against the Stags since the 2018 upset in the MAAC Semifinals. Salama finished with three saves on the season. Akongo scored in back-to-back games to tie with junior midfielder Momo Diop for the team lead in goals. The Broncs edged out the Stags in shots on goal 5-4, as both teams each attempted 10 shots. 

The Broncs travel back home to Ben Cohen Field on Oct. 26, when they host Siena on Alumni Night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on BroncVision.