Nine members of the Rider University softball team were honored for having  at least a 3.5 grade point average, it was announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association this past week.  “We constantly stress the importance of a student athlete’s performance in the classroom and that effort shows not only on the softball team but with each team at Rider,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.

The ad tells us that there are over 360,000 NCAA student athletes and just about all of them will be going pro in something other than sports.  For twin sisters and alums of the Rider University softball team, Brandey and Courtney Weed are bucking those odds by playing on the 22 women PFX Pro Fastpitch X-treme softball tour.

You can say that Terry Dossick is returning to her roots. As a kid growing up on Convent Ave. in the Far Northeast, she would spend all her time after school playing hockey in the street.

Women's ball hockey history was made this year by Northeast Philly resident Terry Dossick.

Rider University junior Tiffany Day-Neutill was named to the First Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference softball team and was one of eight Broncs awarded MAAC All-Academic Team honors it was announced by the conference office Thursday.   “Tiffany had a great year,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “She played with poise and composure.  She did her part to help the team and didn’t let the pressure get to her.”

The Broncs ended the 2007 season on a high note, sweeping Iona in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday.  “The players kept working hard and kept getting better and didn’t quit on the season,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “I am really pleased that we have almost everyone back for next season.  Not competing and quitting are not in my vocabulary.”

The Broncs split a doubleheader with Towson Wednesday.  “If you put the ball in play, you have a chance to make things happen,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.

The Broncs were swept in a non-conference doubleheader by cross-town rival Princeton on Tuesday.  “We were missing a few players due to final exams but the players who were there did a nice job filling in,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We just couldn’t get the ball to drop for us.”

Rider University baseball player Jamie Hayes and Rider softball player Tiffany Day-Neutill are currently ranked among the national leaders in Division I of the NCAA.

The Broncs were swept in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Saint Peter’s Sunday. "We had some opportunities, runners on second and third, and we didn’t take advantage," said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll. "It was a frustrating day."

The Broncs split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader with Manhattan held at Fordham University Saturday. “We played with more intensity today than we have been,” said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll. “We were hitting the ball hard all day.”

The Broncs lost a doubleheader to Monmouth Thursday. “Monmouth is good,” said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll, “but today we beat ourselves. We didn’t compete very well today, and we continue to lose games by not competing.”

Despite a two-hit day from sophomore Clarissa Ortiz, the Broncs lost at Temple Tuesday in a non-conference game.

The Broncs were swept in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon.  “I’m disappointed and frustrated,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We just didn’t compete today.”

Junior Tiffany Day-Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian) hit a walk off RBI single to left field, scoring freshman Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) as the Broncs salvaged a doubleheader split against Fairfield Saturday afternoon.  “The energy level and the attitude were much better in the second game,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.

Despite five hits on the day from junior Tiffany Day-Neutill, the Broncs were swept in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Wednesday afternoon.  “I thought both of our pitchers threw the ball well,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “One play here or there and we come home with two conference wins.”

The Broncs were swept in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday.  “I’m frustrated with the way we played,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We made physical errors, mental errors and we certainly didn’t pitch very well.”

Despite four hits on the day from junior Aimee Schiller, the Broncs were swept in a non-conference doubleheader at Delaware Wednesday afternoon.  “We played better and hit the ball well in the second game,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “Delaware hit the ball well in the opener and we didn’t make the plays we needed to.”

Despite making six errors, Rutgers defeated Rider in a non-conference softball game on Tuesday afternoon.  “We didn’t take advantage of the mistakes that were made and we made too many mental errors ourselves,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.

11 Rider University student-athletes were honored Friday as part of the 20^th annual National Student-Athlete Day.

Despite the outstanding pitching of junior Jessica Holland (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham), the Broncs lost to Columbia Thursday.  “I thought Jessica pitched great,” said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll, “but you have to score a run to win the game.”

Despite a five-hit day from junior Tiffany Day-Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian), the Broncs lost two in the Bronx, falling to the Red Storm of St. John’s.  “Tiffany is seeing the ball and reading where the defense is,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “With the lineup starting to hit behind her, just having her get on base is causing problems for our opponents.”

Rider junior outfielder Tiffany Day-Neutill was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference softball player of the week for all games played March 19-25, it was announced by the conference office Monday afternoon.

The Broncs defeated the Leopards of Lafayette on the final day of the Rider Invitational, splitting two games on Sunday.  “We changed pretty much everything we are doing,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We did more live play during warm-ups, we changed the defense and with that, we seemed to have better intensity and just seemed better prepared to play.”

The Broncs lost the opening game of the Rider Invitational Saturday morning. “I’m not upset so much that we lost,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “I’m upset with the way we lost.  We didn’t compete, we lost our composure and that cost us the game.”

Sophomore pitcher Lauren Brunner was named Pitcher of the Week and freshman third baseman Candice Harris was named Rookie of the Week by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for games played March 12-18.

The Broncs split two games on the final day at the Rebel Spring games in Florida.  “The second game showed just how important it is going to be for us to be mentally focused this year,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We are going to struggle a little to put up runs so we are going to have to be extra sharp mentally to keep the opposition off the board.”

The Broncs split two games at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida Friday afternoon.  “We settled down and played much better in the second game,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.

The Broncs dropped two games on Wednesday at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida.  “The first game was really sloppy,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “The second game, the score was tied and they hit a home run on a pitch that I’m still not sure how she hit it but she did.  We’re just not pushing runs across when we have the opportunity.”

Junior Tiffany Day-Neutill became the 39th Bronc with 100 career hits and sophomore Laci Landrum spun a two-hitter as Rider split two games Monday at the Rebel Spring Games.  “I though we played better,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “The energy level was there and we played with more confidence.”

The Broncs lost the first two games at the Rebel Spring Games Sunday.  “It was nice to get outside again and play,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “I am disappointed that we lost both games but we were able to put some players where they are going to be this season and it was important to face live pitching and just be able to play.”

The Rider University softball doubleheader with the Drexel University Dragons, scheduled for March 7, has been postponed due to cold weather.

Rider University freshman catcher/outfielder Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) got her career off on the right foot by being named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week for all games played the first week of the 2007 season.  “I was looking for her to be someone that would surprise people in the conference,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “With her being honored by the conference, the cat is probably out of the bag.”

The Broncs were swept on the final day of the Elon Invitational losing three games on Saturday.  “I am glad we got the games in for the tournament,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “But I wish we were a little more competitive.”

The Broncs split two games on day one of the Elon Invitational in North Carolina, defeating the Hoyas of Georgetown 8-5 in the nightcap after falling to the host Phoenix of Elon 5-2 in the opener.  "I was happy with the effort," said head coach Tricia Carroll.  "With it being the first time outside, we had to make some adjustments but overall, I was pleased with some of the things we were able to do."

Ashley Boulden of Brooklawn, a senior on the Rider University field hockey and softball teams, is Rider’s nominee for the Coca-Cola Community All-American award.