Nine members of the Rider University men’s and women’s soccer teams were named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic team.

The Broncs lost to Fairfield in the 2007 season finale, a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Fairfield Sunday. “We lost to a very talented Fairfield team,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long. “They are extremely skilled and well coached.”

The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Iona Friday. “We had a difficult time finding each other on the field,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long.

The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game to Siena held at Mercer County Community College Sunday. “I thought we played well,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long. “We didn’t play poorly. We made some mistakes that cost us.”

The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game to first place Marist Friday afternoon in a steady rain. “It didn’t rain just on our side,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long.

The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Canisius Sunday. “We played better than we did on Friday, there was more urgency to our play, but we couldn't get enough shots off,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long.. “Canisius played well and we didn't.”

The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at defending champion Niagara Friday afternoon. “I thought our team did not show up today,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long. “How do you not bring your best effort against the reigning conference champion?  I don’t understand that. We made too many errors.”

The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Loyola Saturday. “They’re good, clearly one of the top teams in the conference, and they played well today,” Rider head coach Kevin Long said of Loyola.

Whether you call it sudden death, sudden victory or Golden Goal, offensive players love it and defensive players don’t. Rider defender Lauren Mahar wanted it over quick. “It was going to be a long 10 or 20 minutes so I took the free kick and I just put it upper 90 (top corner of net).”

Ten years. In ten years of varsity competition, the Rider University women’s soccer team has grown, advancing to post-season play five of the last six years, and many soccer alums returned Sunday to celebrate a decade of success. “Since its inception the program has gone far and will continue to go far,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long.

Giving isn’t always better than receiving after all. Freshman Kara Perkoski, who ranked second in the conference in assists, scored her first two collegiate goals to lead Rider to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory over Saint Peter’s Friday. “It was nice to have a goal and have someone else assist me this time,” Perkoski said.

Tyler Brewington of the golf team and Lauren Musumeci of the soccer team were named the Rider University Athletes of the Month for all competition in September. “It is very exciting, very surprising,” Musumeci said. “My first month at Rider has been amazing.”  “We have a lot of great athletes at Rider so getting this award is a great honor,” Brewington said.

Although Rider lost the game, a major victory occurred in the very beginning of the contest. Senior Michele Ripoll (Point Pleasant) made her first start of the season after major knee injuries ended both her 2005 and 2006 seasons in the season openers. “I found out I was starting in the huddle right before the game,” said Ripoll.

Freshman Lauren Musumeci (Annandale, N.J./North Hunterdon) scored her team-high fourth goal of the season to lead Rider to a come-from-behind victory over Saint Joseph’s Tuesday. “I thought it showed a lot of character to come back from a two goal deficit to win a game,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long. “It is nice to see that we have that ability.”

During her time at Clifton High School, Kayla Devlin was an integral part of one of the most talented dynasties in New Jersey soccer history.

For 82 minutes the Rider defense stopped everything the Monmouth Hawks threw at them. “For the most part the game went well,” said freshman goalkeeper Alex Post. Unfortunately, the games are 90 minutes long. “It’s just a little disappointing with the outcome.”

The Broncs’ unbeaten streak ended at eight games with a loss to Towson Sunday afternoon. “I guess it had to end sooner or later,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long. “We just didn’t play well against a good team.”

The Broncs remained undefeated for 2007 with a tie against Drexel in the home opener Friday. “It was exciting to play at home,” said Rider freshman goalkeeper Alex Post, who collected the shutout. “I had a lot of family and friends here today.”

Rider University sophomore Alison Brody was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Offensive Soccer Player of the Week for all games played September 3-9. “It is a great honor for her,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long. “She has been playing well.”

Sophomore Alison Brody (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) scored two goals and freshman Kara Perkoski (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) had three assists to lead Rider to victory over Longwood in the second round of the Navy Soccer Invitational, held at the United States Naval Academy.  Rider (2-0-2) went 1-0-1 in the tournament for the second time in two tournaments this season. “It’s exciting,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long. “We’re in a very good position and the team has played well over the last four games.”

Among the 405 spectators at the Glenn Warner Soccer Stadium on the Naval Academy campus Friday night, sat a group of very happy Rider alums. “My whole family went to Rider, and they were all here tonight,” said freshman Kimberly Reichel, who scored with less than four minutes left in regulation to give Rider a tie with the heavily favored Midshipmen in the first round of the Navy Soccer Invitational.

Rider University freshman Lauren Musumeci was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Rookie of the Week for all games played prior to September 4.

By going 1-0-1 over the weekend the Broncs were declared the champions of the adidas/Hartford Fall Classic, hosted by the University of Hartford. “This was an outstanding showing, to go undefeated in our first two games and to walk away as the tournament champion,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long.  “We hadn’t played in a tournament in a while, so this is very exciting. This is a wonderful way to start the season.”

Led by the play of a pair of freshmen, the Broncs began the 2007 season with a victory.  “It was the first time we played and it was nice to get out there against another opponent, especially one of the quality of George Mason, and have some positive results,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long.  “That makes for a really great first game.”

11 Rider University student-athletes were honored Friday as part of the 20th annual National Student-Athlete Day.

Keith Richardson, an assistant coach for the Rider University women’s soccer team since 2000, is stepping down from his position, Rider head coach Kevin Long announced today.