College Field Hockey
La Salle University 2, Rider University 1 (2ot)
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.--With the riveting baseball season winding down up the street in South Philadelphia, the Broncs played a riveting overtime heartbreaker at La Salle, falling to the Explorers 2-1 with four minutes left in double overtime Sunday afternoon. “A lot of the game was played in midfield,” said head coach Lori Hussong. “La Salle created more scoring opportunities than we did and overall, we didn't play together as a team.”
The Explorer's Kara Harpel scored her eighth goal of the season dribbling through the Bronc defense to end the game in the 96th minute to end the game.
For Rider (5-5), junior Diana Celebre (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem) scored her third goal of the season with less than six minutes left in regulation, tying the game at one.
“We were able to fight back and force the overtime,” Hussong added. “Diana made a beautiful move and beat three defenders. Basically we didn't have a good offensive effort today.”
“We made a lot of individual efforts today,” Celebre said. “We were hustling but we just didn't play well together.”
La Salle jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Maria Allegretto at the 14 minute mark and the Explorers led 1-0 at the half.
La Salle out-shot Rider 18-7 with senior goalie Jen LoCastro (Cherry Hill/Camden Catholic) making 11 saves including four in the overtime periods.
“J-Lo had a great game again,” Hussong added.
The Explorers held a 16-1 advantage in penalty corners.
Rider, which is now 2-1 in overtime games in 2007, travels to Loudonville, New York for a Northeast Conference game at Siena on Sunday, October 7.
“Going into the conference games, we need to step it up,” said Celebre. “We need to work together better and score.”
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