Broncs win five in a row after victory over LaSalle

By Rich Saile

Coming off its three-game win streak, including two shutouts, Rider men’s soccer defeated the New Jersey Institute of Technology 2-1 at Ben Cohen Field on Sept. 14, before adding another victory against LaSalle, winning 3-1 on Sept. 17.

Getting off on the right foot

In the first 36 seconds of the game, the Broncs missed three shots while trying to get the first goal. However, the first goal of the game came in the eighth minute when the Highlanders scored from the left corner of the 18-yard box. 

The ball shot off the right post to give NJIT an early 1-0 lead. The Broncs’ equalizing goal came from freshman midfielder Ezra Punselie. An assist from senior midfielder Bryan Akongo on a give-and-go near the top of the 18-yard box led to the shot.

Seconds before halftime, junior midfielder Theo Da Silva took a shot that the Highlanders’ goalkeeper narrowly saved.

“I think the way we started helped a lot, or because we were dominating the game,” Akongo said, summarizing the team’s thoughts at halftime. “We [had] a lot of possession on the ball, and we knew another goal was coming, so going into the halftime talk we were just very confident.” 

The Broncs defense continued to stifle the Highlander offense, and junior goalkeeper Adam Salama had three saves. 

In the 73rd minute, junior midfielder Momo Diop scored after the Broncs offense attacked the midfield and found an opening in the Highlanders’ defense. 

Taking the lead

Graduate student midfielder Adel Al Masude passed the ball to Akongo, who passed to Diop and scored with a right foot finish low inside the left post, giving the Broncs the 2-1 lead.

“Momo [Diop] is a special player. He is one of the best in this league and one of the best players in the country. He can change the game in a moment and I think with the ball at his feet he can really make things happen and push our attack,” Rider Head Coach Chad Duernberger said. “When you have a guy who just senses the game in certain moments …  it [can]really push your team forward. It really changes the whole season.” 

The Broncs held off two corner kicks from the Highlanders late in the game to win their fourth straight.

Akongo extends a streak where he has totaled two points in each of the Broncs four wins, while Diop scored his fourth goal of the year and his second game-winner, leading the team in goals. 

Downing the Explorers

On Sept. 17, Rider hit the road to take on LaSalle and was able to walk away with a strong 3-1 victory. 

The scoring got started by Diop with his team-leading fifth goal of the season at 33:21, and then roughly seven minutes later, the Explorers were able to tie it back up a 1-1. 

The game itself was played aggressively by both teams, as Rider finsihed with 16 fouls and LaSalle had 14, with 10 alone in the first half.

Coming out of the break, the Broncs came out firing under the lights as they tailed off two unanswered goals to put them up 3-1 and to give them their fifth straight win. 

Rider returns home to play Mercyhurst University on Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on Broncvision.