POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – An early second half goal proved to be the deciding factor as The Marist men’s soccer team (7-6-4, 3-4-2 MAAC) fell on Senior night to the Rider Broncs (9-6-2, 5-4-0 MAAC), 2-0.

In a tale of two halves Rider was able to capitalize on their opportunities while the Red Foxes were unable to find net on a plethora of chances throughout the game. After being outshot 11-3 in the first half Rider scored just 23 seconds into the second half when a miscommunication in the box led to a tap in goal for Rider’s Ryan Walsh. Rider went on to outshoot Marist 10-4 in the second half.

Freshman goalkeeper Mark Rajovic (Katonah, N.Y.) was tested often in the second half and came up with huge saves to keep the margin at one. Rajovic recorded five saves in the half and six overall.

The Red Foxes pressured in the final 30 minutes bringing multiple people forward to help on the attack but the Broncs held strong on the back line and limited Marist’s dangerous chances.

Rider’s Justin Veltri scored a goal in the 89^th minute to put the game out of reach. The Broncs goal came off a give and go with Jose Aguinaga as the result of a counter attack from a Red Fox offensive.

“We didn’t finish our opportunities tonight and it came back to haunt us,” said head coach Matt Viggiano. “We made one mistake and that’s the game.”

Senior MJ Stellwag (Newburgh, N.Y.) and freshman Brandon Curtis (Stony Point, N.Y.) each recorded three shots in the game while senior Myles Ashong (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) and freshman Erik Dahl (Helsingborgs, Sweden) each recorded two.

The Red Foxes will head into Siena looking at a must win situation while also needing a little help to gain a spot in the MAAC Championships. Marist heads up to Siena for the season finale on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 2 P.M.

“You have to go in a get your three points, we’ve been in this situation before,” said Viggiano. “We we’re in this situation just last week, now we have to go on the road and take care of business.”

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