Women's College Soccer
Rider University 2, Saint Peter's College 1
JERSEY CITY? Senior Kayla Devlin (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) scored two goals to lead Rider to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win at Saint Peter's Sunday. “We changed our game-plan and did an average job of it, but it was good enough to win,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome.
Devlin took a pass from senior Erin Mahar (Barnegat, N.J./Colonia) and scored with five minutes left in the first half. “Kayla got herself in the right positions to put the ball in the net,” Hounsome said.
“Erin played a ball into me and I just shot it in with my left foot from about 20 yards out,” Devlin said. “We were struggling at that time so I was pretty happy we took the lead. We needed a goal at that time.”
Saint Peter's (3-9, 0-3 MAAC) tied the score at 1-1 mid-way through the second half on a rebound of a shot that hit the cross bar. “I was freaking out when they scored,” Devlin said. “But our momentum was building so I didn't think it would go into overtime. I was confident we would finish it.”
Devlin scored the game-winner, her third goal of the season and ninth of her career, with less than two minutes remaining, off a pass from freshman Samantha Andrea (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan). “Sam got her on a great cross,” Hounsome said. “That was very pleasing.”
Devlin scored the game winner on a header, her first header at Rider. “Sam dribbled down the line and played a cross in from the left and I ran far post and headed it in,” Devlin said. “I don't think I ever scored on a header before, but it is something we practice.”
“I thought we were going to score again,” Hounsome said. “I thought it was just a matter of time before we got that second goal.”
Saint Peter's out-shot Rider 17-14. “It wasn't pretty but we got the win,” Devlin said. “We really wanted to get the three points (three points for a win, one point for a tie in the MAAC) today.”
Rider sophomore goalkeeper Alex Post (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks West) made eight saves. Post ranks 11th in the nation in saves per game at 7.72.
Rider defeated Saint Peter's 5-0 last season in Lawrenceville. “It was great to get the three points,” Hounsome said.
Rider and Saint Peter's have now met 13 times with the Broncs holding a 10-3 advantage in the series that began in 1997.
Rider (2-9-2, 1-3 MAAC) will host Loyola in a MAAC game Saturday afternoon. Loyola is the defending MAAC Champion. “With this win I think we'll be more confident going up against Loyola,” Devlin said.
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