October 18, 2005 - Rider 0 Manhattan 0 (2ot)

• Box Score

October 18, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's College Soccer
Rider University 0, Manhattan College 0 (2ot)

LAWRENCEVILLE—Instead of celebrating the achievements of her teammates from the sidelines, junior goalkeeper Hannah Harris (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) was the one being celebrated on Tuesday after she shut out conference opponent Manhattan in her first collegiate start.

“We gave her a shot,” said senior back Jennifer Marcella (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial). “She showed up and played well. She’s been working so hard in practice and definitely deserved a chance.”

Harris cashed in on the opportunity to start by compiling eight saves, four of which came in the first overtime period. Those four saves happened to be the most critical and dramatic. The closest the Jaspers came to scoring was when a shot deflected off the post midway through the first half.

“It’s easy to have confidence when everybody on your team believes in you,” said Harris. “You just go out and play your game. It’s a great feeling knowing that your coach is behind you 100 percent, and that when it’s so late in the season, he’ll give you a chance to play.”

Harris saw action in four games during her freshman season, but was in for less than 45 minutes. Last year, she was injured for most of the year and was only called upon to relieve starting goalkeeper Kim Carter (Chantilly, VA/Chantilly) during the Broncs’ MAAC championship loss against Loyola when Carter was injured.

“She had a great game and made some great saves for us,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long. “We have all the confidence in the world with Kim in goal, but we have a lot of confidence with Hanna in goal as well.”

The Broncs (2-12-2, 1-6-1 MAAC) were out-shot by the Jaspers 13-9.

Today’s tie was the Broncs’ second consecutive double overtime contest, and their fifth double overtime game of the season.

“I think the fact that we played so many overtime games definitely helped us today,” said Marcella. “It just helps us have that mentality that if you want to win, then you have to keep yourself ready for the whole game.”

The Broncs now face national powerhouse Princeton in non-conference play before finishing their season against defending MAAC champion Loyola.

Long chose Harris to play today because he “wanted to mix things up and give Carter a break,” but is now uncertain of who will end the season in goal. He realizes his team’s offensive struggles but is happy to see that his defense is coming around and playing solid behind either goalie. Harris shares her coach’s joy and is excited that the defense is keeping points off the board.

“I felt like our defense was coming together and connecting,” said Harris. “When the whole team is clicking, it just makes things so much easier.”

-RU-