Monmouth 4, Rider 0
August 29, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s College Soccer
Monmouth University 4, Rider University 0
WEST LONG BRANCH—After beginning the season 1-0-1, the Broncs suffered their first loss of the season at Monmouth Tuesday.
Monmouth (1-1) scored on a penalty kick 3:28 into the game to take a 1-0 lead, and scored from 30 yards out to take a 2-0 lead less than 20 minutes into the contest. “They took an early lead on a questionable PK call,” said Rider head coach Russ Fager, “but the second goal was a thing of beauty, from about 30 yards out in the upper 90 (top corner of net).”
“Any time you give up a goal that early it takes some wind out of your sails,” said senior Dylan Matlack (Geigertown, PA/Twin Valley). “Monmouth is the most talented team we’ve seen this year.”
“Dylan took some guys on today and worked very hard all day and really played well,” said Fager. “Once we were down 2-0 at the half, we made some changes to try to get back into it. We had some chances but couldn’t capitalize. When we pushed everyone up front to try and score, that allowed Monmouth to have more scoring opportunities as well and they took advantage of them.”
Monmouth out-shot Rider (1-1-1) 23-7.
Rider senior goalkeeper Dan Riverso (Williamstown) made four saves, while sophomore Randall Zapolski (Lawrenceville) made three saves for the Broncs in the final eight minutes of the game.
Dan Schenkel made four saves for the Monmouth shutout.
Monmouth is the defending Northeast Conference champion and is picked to win the NEC again this year. Last year Monmouth defeated Rider 5-0 at Rider. Rider is 6-11-2 against Monmouth, with the last Rider win coming in 1998. Monmouth won the last five meetings. “Monmouth is for real,” said Fager. “They have a lot of guys who can attack.”
The Broncs host Longwood Friday at 4:00 pm. “I’m looking forward to playing at home again on Friday,” Matlack said. “This season we have the most talented group since I’ve been here. We have good chemistry. We’ll learn from this game, learn from our mistakes. Now we know what we have to work on when we play against a good team.”
RU 0 0 0
MU 2 2 4
-ru-
