Domination in Buffalo, Broncs bounce back in Metro play

By Joshua Yuhas

Entering the night as a top-70 program, according to the NCAA’s RPI rankings, Rider men’s soccer rebounded from losing a tightly-fought Metro Conference opener against Quinnipiac University, dominating on the road in a 4-1 victory over Canisius University.

Offensive siege  

From the sounding of the opening whistle, the Broncs took control on Sept. 25, with senior defender Ryan Vaubel scoring on the first shot of the game.

Vaubel launched another shot just two minutes later that was saved by the Golden Griffins’ goalkeeper.

With Canisius running a low block defensive system, Head Coach Chad Duernberger was proud of the early score in setting the tone for the match.

 “Some of the best teams in the world struggled to break down an opponent who sat in a low block in the World Cup,” Duernberger said. “For us to get a goal early, a fantastic goal, really helped change the game early on.”

Canisius struggled to hold back the offensive pressure from Rider, with freshman forward Chiemeka Azurunwa hitting a shot off the right post.

Shortly after, shots were taken from graduate student defender Sawyer Koza and sophomore forward Drew Heil.

Azurunwa continued the onslaught and took a chance of his own, then, following a corner kick, junior defender Carter Schmitz lifted the final chance of the electric opening 23 minutes for the Broncs.

Canisius finally produced their first two shots of the match in the 30th minute, split up by a corner kick.

The Golden Griffins’ attack was short lived, as the Broncs launched a counterattack, with Koza and Schmitz each sending another pair of shots at the net.

Rider would face their first shot on goal in the 41st minute when graduate student goalkeeper Marius Helias made the save.

Senior forward Patryk Rojek had his attempt saved by the Golden Griffins’ goalkeeper, with Heil sending another two shots, ending the half with all four of his shots on the day.

Rider produced 13 shots across the first 45 minutes to Canisius’ four and produced three more corners than the Golden Griffins.

Stampede in Buffalo

The pressure from the Broncs only picked up in the second half of action when Rojek took a shot within the first minutes of returning to action.

After a corner kick, Schmitz’s shot hit off the crossbar, but fell down to senior defender Michael Holliday to get the second Broncs’ score.

Giving no chance for the Golden Griffins’ defense to breathe, Koza and junior forward Emmanuel Dan-Adokiene each forced a save, before play slowed down.

In the 69th minute, following a shot, graduate student defender Jacobo Cruz broke through for the third goal of the contest and a 3-0 Rider lead.

Surviving a pair of Canisius corner kicks without allowing a shot, Azurunwa’s shot was saved, not long before freshman midfielder Gavin Farracchio extended the gap to four goals.

“The players really come together and there is a comfort in the group even when we are not playing at home on Ben Cohen Field. They don’t play nervous,” Duernberger said.

Rider surrendered just a singular shot to Canisius in the second half and outshot the Golden Griffins 27-5 across the entire contest.

From start to finish, the Broncs controlled the pace of the match, limiting offensive chances for the Golden Griffins as Helias was forced to make one save.

With a great performance in a Metro matchup away from Ben Cohen Field, the team has remained grounded into what is needed to reach their end goal.

“We don’t look ahead or look in the rearview mirror. The group has confidence, but also an honest outlook that we have to keep getting better collectively on both sides of the ball to have the success we want as we get deeper into conference play,” Duernberger said.

The Broncs will stay on the road to take on Iona University on Sept. 30 then return home on Oct. 3 to face off against Niagara University. Both games will be played at 1 p.m and streamed on ESPN+.