The Riders dominated the early play, forcing the action and the shots. Greenville attempted to counterattack but struggled with a solid Rider defense which has been steady all season long. Early in the game, the right side of the ICC lineup controlled the pace of the game, from full back Devin Collins, to midfielder Kenny Wengler, all the way up to striker Nick Boardman. The right side forced constant pressure on Greenville and gave the Riders plenty of opportunities. The chances came early and often for the Riders, but they continued to struggle on their finishes as they have all year, especially against Spartan keeper Andrew Clark.
As time wound down in the first half, two players connected on two separate plays to earn quality chances for the Riders. In the 35th minute, Mitchell Niemeyer sent a terrific long ball between two players which allowed Boardman to break in free on the keeper. With two defenders pressuring him from behind, Boardman took an early strike that went straight to Clark. Four minutes later, the Riders earned a free kick just outside the box on the left wing. Boardman took the kick and lofted it into the box where Niemeyer got a head to it, but the ball went off his head and just wide of the goal to keep the score tied at 0-0.
The second half continued much like the first, with the Riders dominating most of the action, and Greenville struggling to get to the goal. In the 51st minute, Alex Issler sent a good ball up the right wing to Boardman who fired a shot just over the bar. Three minutes later, the Riders broke through for the games only goal. As ICC kept the pressure high, an attempted clear by Greenville went right to the Riders defense. That low ball was back-heeled into the middle by Wengler, and Josh Stall swept in to put the ball away in the 54th minute.
That goal early in the second half proved to be enough for the Riders, who picked up the crucial mid-season victory. The Riders put eleven shots on goal, with Clark making nine saves while a defender cleared another. Deme Kramarchyk made two saves in goal for the Riders as the defense kept Greenville’s offense in check the entire game. The Riders who dominated possession also dominated the corner kick comparison, taking six compared to none by the Spartans.
Their rematch with Coxsackie-Athens on Thursday marks the second half of the Riders’ schedule. Their first game against the Indians was their league opener; the second match-up will be a tough road trip for the Riders.
