Facing the current MAAC conference leader in Rider, Marist men’s soccer had a chance to pull off their biggest win of the season, as they held the lead with seven minutes remaining.
Junior midfielder Momo Diop then came through for Rider (11-4-1, 5-1-1) when it mattered most. During a match in which he assisted his teammate but also committed a crucial foul nearly costing Rider the game, Diop put his team on his back in the 84th minute with an incredible individual effort.
Diop’s game-tying goal was his eighth of the year, and it allowed Rider to salvage a point as they jockey for the No. 1 seed in the MAAC. Marist (6-7-2, 3-2-2 MAAC) was denied the chance to pick up a season-altering win, yet remains the No. 4 seed in the conference with one match remaining and other matches kicking off later today.
Both teams got off to a rollicking start early in the first half. Rider scored just 86 seconds into the match on a possession catalyzed by Diop. Diop advanced up the right side and then slithered his way across the middle through the heart of the Marist defense; he capped off an extended possession by placing a perfect pass to senior midfielder/back Jack McGeechan. From there, McGeehan pounded a powerful strike past graduate student goalkeeper Jamie Lowell to quickly put the Broncs up 1-0.
The early hole appeared to spell doom for Marist, especially considering Rider had not ceded a goal in four straight matches. Yet as they have all season long, a resilient Red Fox squad responded to even the score and reestablish momentum in the 10th minute.
Freshman midfielder Caio Cavaletti initiated the Marist scoring possession by dribbling up the left side; as he neared the goal, he passed the ball inside to freshman forward/midfielder Chris Verheul. Despite dealing with a tough angle, Chris Verheul used his right foot to hammer in a precise close-range shot past the diving junior goalkeeper Adam Salama for his fourth goal of the year.
Rider had a chance to take the lead with 10 minutes left in the half; sophomore forward Patryk Rojek headed a crosser straight toward an open net, but it sailed just wide.
History nearly repeated itself as Rider almost scored a goal just two minutes into the second half. Junior midfielder Luke Kirilenko ended up in a one-on-one with Lowell and managed to move him off his spot, giving him a clear path to the goal. Yet his shot clanged off the right post, providing Marist with a lucky break and preserving the draw.
In the 57th minute, Cavaletti set up another Marist scoring opportunity when Diop tripped him from behind in the box, garnering a foul on Diop that set Marist up with a penalty kick opportunity.
Chris Verheul sent a poor low shot straight up the middle; although Salama dove away from the ball, he kept his back foot in place just long enough to deflect the shot and make an incredible save to keep the match tied.
Marist did not dwell on the missed opportunity, as their attack came through to put them in front four minutes later. Senior forward Richard Morel advanced up the right side but ran out of room and made a difficult pass over the middle to sophomore midfielder Arion Ulaj.
Ulaj demonstrated excellent ball control in corralling the pass and immediately knocking in a shot up the middle; Salama got a hand on the shot, but it still slipped past him to put Marist up 2-1.
Rider had some near misses later in the second half with Lowell coming through to make a few clutch saves, but eventually, Diop came through to earn the equalizer for the Broncs in the 84th minute.
After a sustained Rider possession, Diop found a lane and passed to a teammate, who then sent the ball right back to him in front of goal. After carrying the ball out towards the right post, Diop managed to switch fields amidst four defenders and reeled off an incredible shot that snuck inside the far post, tying the match at 2-2.
Despite blowing the late lead, Marist still controls its destiny in earning a home match during the MAAC tournament. The Red Foxes will wrap up the regular season looking to continue their five-match unbeaten streak at home against Siena, a team that resides just ahead of them in the MAAC standings. Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Edited by Marley Pope
Graphic by Jaylen Rizzo; Photos from Marist Athletics
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