Women's College Soccer
Monmouth University 1, Rider University 0
WEST LONG BRANCH--For 82 minutes the Rider defense stopped everything the Monmouth Hawks threw at them. “For the most part the game went well,” said freshman goalkeeper Alex Post. Unfortunately, the games are 90 minutes long. “It's just a little disappointing with the outcome.”
The Broncs lost 1-0 at Monmouth Friday on a goal scored with just over seven minutes left to play. “I think Monmouth is a really good team,” said Rider head coach Kevin Long. “That's why we like playing them.”
The Hawks out-shot Rider (2-2-3) 14-2, including 8-1 in the second half. “The box score says it all,” Long said. “We have got to generate more of an attack. We are being forced to defend for 90 minutes. I don't think any team can have a successful season if all they are doing is defending. It remains a challenge for us to get more shots.”
The Broncs managed just one shot each half, by freshmen Lauren Musumeci (Annadale/North Hunterdon) and Kim Reichel (Chester/West Morris-Mendham).
Another first-year player, Post (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks West), was extremely active in the Rider nets, making 11 saves for the Broncs. “I love games like this,” said Post, who has now made 42 saves in her brief seven-game college career. “This is why I play soccer.”
“Many of the shots today were at close range and Alex continues to come up big for us,” Long said. “She continues to be a big part of our defense. Considering the shot ratio (97-59 for the season, in favor of the opponents), we haven't given up that many goals (8, to 8 scored by Rider this year), so you have to take your hat off to the whole defense for weathering storms.”
Monmouth (4-2-2) broke a scoreless tie with a goal by Amy Hoyer in the 82nd minute of the game. “The goal today, what are you going to do?” Long said. “That was a goalie's worst nightmare, a shot taken from 12 yards out. She should score on that shot every time. That goal was no indication of Alex's play.”
Hoyer, a senior, stole a clearing pass and scored her first goal of the season. “It was a turnover inside the 18,” Post said. “She (Hoyer) just stepped in and hit it.”
Lia Fierro made two saves for Monmouth, as both of the Broncs' shots were on net.
Rider and Monmouth have now met eight times since the series began in 1999. Rider is 2-4-2 against the Hawks, with the last win coming in 2002. Monmouth won in 2003, and the teams tied last season 1-1 at Rider. “When I was being recruited the Monmouth game is the one I saw last year,” Post said. “It was an intense game, like this one today so I knew they were a pretty good team.”
“We still have a couple of weeks before we begin the MAAC games,” Long said. “That is why we are playing tough teams like Monmouth, who will do very well in the NEC (Northeast Conference). We want it to be difficult to get shots off, so when we get to our MAAC schedule the challenges will seem easier.”
Rider hosts Saint Joseph's Tuesday at 4:00 pm. “We have Saint Joe's and U. Penn (Sunday) coming up,” Long said. “Penn is another ranked team and Saint Joe's is a good, strong opponent who we snuck a win (2-0) out last year. It's a positive challenge.”
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