A 55th minute free kick goal off the foot of 2024 MAAC Golden Boot recipient Momo Diop proved to be the difference maker as the second-seeded Rider Broncs topped Siena Men's Soccer in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Semifinals, 1-0, from Ben Cohen Field in Lawrenceville, NJ on Thursday evening.
 
Rider advances to Sunday's MAAC Championship match against top-seeded Iona for a second consecutive season, while the Saints conclude their 2024 campaign with a 7-5-6 overall record, as well as with a second consecutive MAAC Semifinal appearance. 
 
Mario Navarro Perez recorded two of Siena's six shots, with the others coming from Dren Dobruna, Zach Gardner, Tomislav Vrdoljak, and Cole Hellert. Navarro Perez and Hellert provided the lone two shots on-goal. Goalkeeper Bennet Glinder made two saves on Rider's three shots on target. 
 
Rider controlled possession for much of the first half, however, the Siena backline never broke, and held the Broncs scoreless over five shots. The Saints turned the tables over the final 20 minutes of the half with shots by All-MAAC players Dobruna, Gardner, and Navarro Perez. However, each opportunity fell short as the match moved into halftime scoreless. 
 
A quiet opening 10 minutes into the second half led to the first scoring opportunity for either side. After a yellow card was issued to Eric Svensson, Diop lined up for a set piece and struck it into the bottom left of the outstretched Glinder for the lead. 
 
Navarro Perez (69') and Hellert (80') had scoring chances, however, each were reeled in by Golden Glove recipient Adam Salama. The Broncs held the Saints without another scoring chance following Hellert's shot to advance to Sunday's finals. 
 
Siena's season concludes following a season that produced the most All-MAAC selections in program history (seven), along with the team advancing in the postseason for the first time in eight seasons.