Men’s Soccer blanks Rider for 2-0 win

By Army Athletic Communications Date: Thursday, Oct 03, 2024 Time: 3:29 EST
Two Black Knights scored their first career goals and sophomore goalie Keanu Likewise pitched a clean sheet in goal as Army Men’s Soccer defeated Rider 2-0 Oct. 1 at Malek Stadium. (Photo provided by Army Athletic Communications)

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Two Black Knights scored their first career goals and sophomore goalie Keanu Likewise pitched a clean sheet in goal as Army Men’s Soccer defeated Rider 2-0 Oct. 1 at Malek Stadium.

Freshman forward Kai Thomas opened the scoring in the 15-minute, finishing a ball on the edge of the six-yard box and recording a point for the second consecutive match.

Likewise then recorded two of his six saves in the first half to keep the one-goal lead into the intermission.

The Colorado Springs, Colorado, native added another pair of spectacular saves after halftime to preserve the shutout, one on a shot from outside the 18-yard box with 32 minutes to play, and another seven minutes later on a free kick header.

Army won just two corner kicks, but a 78-minute corner shot led to an Army goal when freshman defenseman Miles Hadley found the back of the net for the first time in his West Point career. Thomas and fellow freshman Ronald Zhai were credited with assists on the goal.

The win came in Army’s first meeting with Rider since 2010.

By the Numbers:

5: Freshman forward Jack Kryger has logged five points in the past three matches.

3: Thomas’ three points represented the highest single-match output for a Black Knight in a match in 2024. With an assist against Lafayette Sept. 28, Thomas is running on four points in the past two fixtures.

6: Likewise’s six saves were the third-most this season for an Army goalkeeper.

Next Up:

Army hosts the American Eagles on Saturday, Oct. 5 in a Patriot League match at Malek Stadium, closing out a four-match homestand. First touch is slated for 1 p.m.