Monday, Sep 17, 2012
The Rider University field hockey team won its fifth game in a row, defeating La Salle University in Philadelphia by a 3-2 score in overtime on Saturday afternoon.
by Sports Information
The Rider University field hockey team won its fifth game in a row, defeating LaSalle University in Philadelphia by a 3-2 score in overtime on Saturday, Septmeber 15.
"It was two different stories that were written on the field today," said head coach Lori Hussong. "The first half we played outstanding team ball and the second half, we didn't come out with intensity and La Salle took it to us."
Marlaine Schneider '13 (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy) scored the game-winner 6:15 into the extra period to give Rider (5-1) the win after the Broncs gave up a two-goal lead late in regulation. Sandra Penas'14 (Barcelona, Spain) hit the post with her third shot of the game before Schneider scored her second of the season and 29th of her Bronc career. Schneider is 11th on Rider's all-time scoring list with 89 points, one point behind Stephanie Walker who compiled 90 points (36g, 18a) from 2004-2007.
"The goal was off a corner," Schneider remembered. "Sandra hit it in and the ball was just sitting there and I just beat the one player and shot it."
"Marlaine has been playing well," Hussong said. "Her goal was a scrappy goal; just hustle and determination. It was an 'all effort' goal."
Rider's Eefje Kok '15 (Berkel Enschot, Netherlands) opened the scoring with just under 10 minutes left in the first half on a backhanded shot that went in at the near side post.
Penas gave the Broncs a 2-0 lead with four minutes left in the opening half with a backhanded goal of her own to the far side. For Penas, the Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, it was her team-leading fourth goal, her third goal in the last two games and the 38th goal of her Rider career. With 93 career points, Penas is ninth on Rider's all-time scoring list.
Rider led 2-0 at intermission.
LaSalle cut Rider's lead to 2-1 on a goal off a penalty corner with 20:30 left and tied the game with 1:50 remaining in regulation on a rebound.
"We made some crucial mistakes at the end of regulation," Hussong said.
Goalie Alicia Carthan '16 (Bordentown) made three saves as Rider out-shot the Explorers 25-8 and the Broncs held a 14-2 penalty corner advantage. For Carthan, it was her third win in a row.
Lisa Shaffer made 11 saves for LaSalle (2-5).
The Broncs defeated LaSalle 2-0 at Ben Cohen Field in Lawrenceville in 2011 with Kok scoring a goal and Penas adding an assist. Rider defeated LaSalle 4-1 to open the 2010 season in Philadelphia. Rider has won 23 of the 31 games (one tie) in the series against the Explorers including a 2-1 overtime win in Lawrenceville in 2009 and a 2-1 overtime win in 2008 that went to penalty strokes. The Explorers defeated the Broncs 2-1 in double overtime in 2007 with Rider winning a pair of 1-0 games in 2006 and 2005.
"Every time we play LaSalle, it is either a one goal game or overtime," Hussong said. "Their coach is very good at motivating their players to continue to give effort and try their hardest and we let them hang around and regain the momentum. We were determined in the overtime to not let this game get away from us."
Rider travels to Hempstead, New York to face UC-Davis on Monday in a game hosted by Hofstra.
"We didn't play our best half of hockey in the second half but we were still able to get a road win," said Hussong. "We summoned up the energy and urgency to get the victory and we'll look to use that momentum heading into Monday's game."
"The team is starting to mesh really well," Schneider said. "I'm feeling really confident as we head toward conference play."