Marist men’s soccer earned a much-needed win on Alumni Night, taking down Rider 3-1 and getting their first win since September 27th. This win carries the Red Foxes (7-3-3, 3-3-1 MAAC) into a playoff spot and denies the Broncs (1-10-4, 0-5-3 MAAC) their first conference win.
“Been a while between dubs for us,” said head coach Matt Viggiano. “We were a little wobbly in the first half, but I kept preaching that we need to work for it.”
Both Verheul brothers scored, the second such occasion this season. Gijs Verheul, a sophomore midfielder, scored the first for Marist, a flying header off a cross from freshman attacker Adriano Iannello. Gijs leads the team with six goals, three more than his brother.
“I’m glad I flew over there and got them,” said Viggiano of the brothers, who hail from the Netherlands.
“We said it the last time, it was a dream. I even said it to him this morning, we have to score and celebrate together,” said Gijs Verheul about scoring with his brother.
Sophomore striker Chris Verheul scored the second just nine minutes into the second half, off the back of a beautiful Marist attack. The ball bounced between players before freshman midfielder Ben Mills played it out to Verheul.
Gijs Verheul claimed his goal was better, but Viggiano gave the props to the older brother, Chris.
Mills, who registered his first collegiate assist, played more minutes in this game than he had the entire season entering the game.
“I’ve been preparing every day in training, kind of just waiting to get my opportunity,” said Mills. “I knew I was ready.”
Rider opened the scoring 14 minutes into the game on their first shot on goal. Senior forward Xavi Csato got the ball on the left side and curled it far post past the diving Jamie Lowell. Lowell, a graduate student goalkeeper, made a pair of saves in the win.
The Broncs, who have a significantly weaker squad than last year, which made the MAAC championship game, are winless in conference play and have not won a game since September 1st.
The game started with Marist dominating, and the Red Foxes almost broke the scoring open inside seven minutes. Senior midfielder Skylar Cunha had a free kick from 25 yards out, which forced a brilliant save from graduate student goalkeeper Marius Helias.
Marist, who made a change to the lineup entering the game, continued to put pressure on and ended the first half with three times as many shots as their opponents. The Red Foxes finished with 21 shots, nearly tying a season-high.
The change, which inserted sophomore midfielder Caio Cavaletti in the lineup, came at the expense of freshman defender Will Salivonchik, who missed the match due to suspension after accumulating five yellow cards.
Controversy struck just after halftime as a Rider defender hacked down junior defender Ethan Ortiz in his own third, but the referees gave no call, even after video review.
“For what they’ve been calling this year, the fact that that wasn’t called was mind-boggling,” said Viggiano.
After Chris Verheul’s goal under 10 minutes into the second half, Marist continued to apply pressure. Verheul himself had a breakaway and was taken down, but no penalty came.
Csoto went back the other way with a chance, using quick moves to sit down junior midfielder Arion Ulaj and get his teammate the ball in space. Senior defender Ricky Joasilus’ shot went wayward, though, as his side could not find a leveler.
Marist continued to press for a goal to seal the deal, as senior attacker Jonathan Salguero came on for sophomore defender Evan Marques and the Red Foxes won five consecutive corners in the opposition’s area.
Rider, increasingly frustrated, fouled 17 times and received the game’s only two yellow cards during the final 15 minutes. Just after the second, assessed to Preseason Player of the Year senior midfielder Theo Da Silva, Salguero netted a third for his side.
Salguero followed his goal, a volley off a pass from Cavaletti, with an acrobatic flipping celebration.
“I love that kid. He’s been through a lot,” said Viggiano. “He’d be my son for life, I’m really really proud of him.”
This win moves Marist into a playoff spot as MAAC games come this weekend, with just three games to go. Just as importantly, the Red Foxes snap a four-game winless streak and earn their first home win in over a month.
“We know we have the ability. We’re 7-3-3 for a reason,” said Viggiano. “This time of the year, it’s about results.”
Marist continues play on Wednesday, October 29th, as they travel to take on Siena. The Saints (5-4-4, 4-0-3 MAAC) are undefeated in conference play so far this season and have not lost in a month.
Kick off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Edited by August Lieberman
Graphic by Quinn DiFiore
Photo via Emily Portnov
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