October 27, 2006 - Rider 2 Saint Peter's 1 (ot)
October 27, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s College Soccer
Rider University 2, Saint Peter’s College 1 (ot)
LAWRENCEVILLE—Senior Jacob Kratt (Moorestown) used his head more on Friday than he usually does, first while taking a test, then on an assist, and finally on the game-winning goal, giving Rider an overtime Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win over Saint Peter’s Friday. “I thought the boys played well today, we played hard,” said Rider head coach Russ Fager. “It was a good team effort. They gave everything they had to get the game won.”
Kratt was late for the game and didn’t get in the contest until the last nine minutes of the first half, but he made up for lost time. “I was late because I was taking an exam,” said the senior Management major. “The exam was in career management. I think I did pretty well.”
He did pretty well in the game also, as Rider (4-10-4, 1-5-2 MAAC) took a 1-0 lead with 15 minutes left in regulation off of a corner kick, when Kratt received the corner kick and headed the ball to senior Tim Jones (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley), who kicked the ball in from three yards out. “Jones’ goal was an opportunistic goal,” said Fager. “We haven’t been putting the ball away when we have had those opportunities, and today Jones did.”
“I received the corner and headed the ball down and it hit Jones right in the chest,” Kratt said. “He turned and made a great shot on it.”
“Jac played with a lot of enthusiasm, which he always does, and that was the difference in the game,” said Fager.
Saint Peter’s (8-7-2, 5-3 MAAC) quickly tied the score at 1-1 just 2:06 later on a rebound to send the game into overtime. “I knew they were going to come storming back,” said Rider senior goalkeeper Dan Riverso (Williamstown).
The game winner came 7:44 into the overtime, as junior Lee Tomasso (Westfield) took the corner kick. “It was a great ball Lee made,” said Kratt. “I faked to the far post and ran to the near post, I lost my man and just dove and flicked it on, and watched it sail inside the far post,” Kratt remembered.
Riverso made nine saves, many at point blank range. “I thought Riverso played extremely well,” said Fager. “He’s the best keeper in the conference, hands down. His reactions, his understanding of the game, his ability to read the game is just incredible. I’ve never seen him have to make as many point blank saves as he did today.”
“I was a little busy today,” said Riverso, “but that’s nothing out of the ordinary when you play Saint Peter’s.” Saint Peter’s out-shot Rider 31-11. “I don’t like playing in the cold, so it was good they kept me busy. That helped keep me warm.”
Matthew Lawlor made one save for the Peacocks.
The game was Rider’s seventh overtime contest of the season, and the second one the Broncs have won. “I remember one year that we had six overtime games,” said Fager, “and we had a good year that season, I think we won five of them and tied the other one.”
The Broncs complete the 2006 season Sunday with a home game against Manhattan. Six graduating seniors will be honored before the 1:00pm game. “I got to play another overtime game,” said Riverso. “I’m milking as much time out of this season as I can.”
-RU-
