Rider Men's Soccer Advances to Championship Game
MAAC Sports
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – The Rider University Broncs Men’s Soccer Team will compete in the 2015 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship Game against Monmouth University after defeating Siena College 3-2 in the semifinals.
The first goal of the game was scored by Rider’s Jose Aguinaga at the 5:46 mark of the first half. Aguinaga scored off a rebound from five yards out on the right side. Aguinaga recorded an assist on the second goal of the game when he set up teammate Elliot Otmani at the 16:17 mark when Otmani scored off a rebound three yards out from the left side.
After not scoring in the first half, Siena scored at the 46:29 mark of the second half when Paolino Curto scored for the Saints to pull them within 2-1. The Broncs would answer back at 83:44 when Otmani would score his second goal of the game on a breakaway. Siena made it close when Matt Needham scored on an assist from Tom Allen at the 84:42 mark to make it a 3-2 game. Rider would hold on over the final minutes to advance to the championship game.
Broncs goalkeeper Ryan Baird recorded 4 saves in the win while Saints goalkeeper and 2015 MAAC Rookie Team member, Gianni Carillo, recorded two saves in the defeat. Siena outshot Rider 11-9 in this semifinals matchup.
Rider University will play in the championship game tomorrow on Monday, November 9 at noon on ESPN3. They will look to win its third ever MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship and move onto the NCAA tournament. Rider last played in the championship game in 2004 and the last time the Broncs won the championship was back in 1998 when they won it for the second straight year. They were also MAAC Men’s Soccer Champions in 1997.
For all information regarding the MAAC men’s and women’s soccer championships, visit the championship page on maacsports.com.