RIDER DEFEATS SIENA IN PENALTY KICKS TO ADVANCE TO THE 2016 MAAC MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
HAMDEN, CT – Rider University defeated Siena College, 3-1 in penalty kicks to advance to the 2016 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship Game. The Broncs will play in the MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship Game for the second consecutive season.
After two overtime periods, Rider and Siena needed penalty kicks to decide their semifinal matchup. The 2016 MAAC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year Ryan Baird turned away three consecutive attempts by Siena in penalty kicks to propel the Broncs to victory.
Rider scored the first goal of the game in the 39th minute when senior midfielder Christian Flath capitalized on a left cross from junior forward Elliott Otmani. Flath also scored the game-winner in penalty kicks.
Siena was able to tie the game up 1-1 just 40 seconds after the Broncs’ tallied the game’s first score. Sophomore midfielder J.C. Obregon fired a free kick into the box that was deflected into the net by a Rider defender for an own-goal.
In the 51st minute of play Saints’ junior forward Alexander Tejera was taken down in the box and awarded a penalty kick. Tejera converted on the penalty kick to give Siena a 2-1 lead.
Broncs’ freshman forward Clement Bourret tied the game 2-2 in the 76th minute. Bourret received a left cross and found the back of the net on the far post. He was assisted by junior forward Elliot Otmani and junior forward Jose Aguinaga.
Baird made four saves for the Broncs this afternoon. Saints’ goalkeeper Aleksa Radosavljevic recorded 10 saves in the game.
Rider University will now face Quinnipiac University in the 2016 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship Game, which takes place on Sunday, November 13 at 1:00 PM at QU Soccer Field on the campus of Quinnipiac University. The game will be streamed live on MAAC.TV.