Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan Jaspers Men's Soccer team dropped their third conference match of the year 1-0 to Rider University on Sunday morning. With the loss, Manhattan falls to 0-12-0 (0-3-0 MAAC) on the year while the Broncs improve to 3-8-1 (2-2-0 MAAC).
The match was scoreless through the first half but predominantly controlled by the Broncs has they outshot the Jaspers 13-6 in the first half and took a total of seven corner kicks to Manhattan's one in the first frame. Manhattan had a tremendous opportunity in the first half when a ball was sent in to the middle of the box and a shot was saved by Rider keeper Matt Perella. The rebound then came back out to Andrew Santos who hit the crossbar before Daniel Festa booted it over the goal to keep the game knotted at zero.
In the second half, both teams continued to jockey for position and quality chances. In the 48th minutes, Rider's Dan Friga sent a cross that was deflected by a couple of Jasper defenders before it fell to the feet of David Benavidez. Benavidez settled the ball and ripped it past the outstretched arms of George Ellis for a goal.
The Broncs would keep up the pressure to try and get a second goal but were constantly denied by defenders Chris Holihan, Jake Donowick and others on the Manhattan back line. The Jaspers tried to find an equalizer in the final few minutes but Tommy Amos was called offsides on multiple occasions. There was a shot from Jason Iannone that Perella could not save cleanly but Trevor Chiduku was unable to find the right footing and missed a chance to tie the game.
Amos was given a yellow card in the 78th minute as he was called offsides and argued with the referee.
Manhattan now goes on the road for two straight contests as they visit Canisius (Oct. 14) and Niagara (Oct. 16) before returning home on Oct. 21 when they host Siena.
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