November 3, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Field Hockey-NEC Semi-Finals
#1 Lock Haven University 2, #4 Rider University 1
Vaccarelli / Bearish All-Tournament Honors
LOCK HAVEN, PA? The 2006 Rider University field hockey season came to an end Friday with a loss to host Lock Haven in the semi-final round of the Northeast Conference Championship tournament, held on the Charlotte Smith Field at Hubert Jack Stadium. “We have grown a lot during the course of this season,” said Rider head coach Lori Hussong. “I think the players learned the lessons we wanted them to take with them as they go on in the future.”
Rider (12-7) freshman Melissa Grinkevich (Allentown) deflected a long shot by sophomore Mandy Hunter (Plainsboro/West Windsor-Plainsboro) to tie the score at 1-1 with three minutes left in the first half. “The goal came very quick,” said Grinkevich. “It was a long pass and once it got to the circle I knew I had to burst to it to at least get my stick on it to get some sort of shot off.”
“We made the most of our few offensive chances,” said Hussong.
Lock Haven out-shot Rider 21-3, including 11-1 in the second half, and had 12 penalty corners. Rider's lone penalty corner came on the last play of the first half. “Lock Haven was just too strong for us today,” said Hussong. “If we had a chance to generate a little more offense it would have helped our confidence and it would have been a better game.”
The goal was the second of the season for Grinkevich. “We spilled our guts today,” said Grinkevich. “This team is a family, and that's why I came to Rider. This is what I was looking for. The camaraderie is amazing.”
Rider sophomore Julie Vaccarelli (Oceanport/Shore Regional) and senior Krysta Bearish (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) were named to the All-Tournament team.
Suzann Hobart scored a goal with :59 left in the first half to give Lock Haven (16-5) a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Blair Wynne scored her 23rd goal of the season just 5:24 into the game to give the Lady Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Vaccarelli made a spectacular diving defensive save with 12 minutes left in the second half to keep the Broncs within one goal. “Julie was just awesome today,” said Hussong. “That play was just gutsy. She's tough as nails.”
“I felt (senior) Ashley Boulden (Brooklawn/Gloucester) played very well today,” said Hussong. “She really threaded the play in the circle today. I was proud of all of the seniors today.”
Senior goalkeeper Krysta Bearish made 11 saves. “Krysta has been a great kid for us for four years,” said Hussong. “We picked it up throughout the game and we had some great plays,” said Bearish, the Rider record holder for career wins and shutouts. “I really think that with what we had to work with and with all of our injuries we came out today and played the best we could.”
Senior Meghan Schweers (South Plainfield) was unable to play in her final game due to a broken finger suffered on Sunday in the regular season loss to Lock Haven.
The semi-final loss marked the first time in seven years that the Broncs did not reach the title game.
Lock Haven is now 274-49-17 at home, including 9-1 this season.
The winner of the NEC Tournament plays the winner of the Atlantic-10 Tournament in the NCAA Play-In game Tuesday, November 7, hosted by the Atlantic-10. Richmond is the perennial favorite to win the A-10, and is hosting the A-10 tournament November 3-4. The Play-In winner advances to the 16-team NCAA National Championship tournament.
Rider won the NEC regular season on the odd years (2005, 2003, 2001) and the NEC Championship tournament on the even years (2004, 2002, 2000) every year for the last six years.
-RU-
