LAWRENCEVILLE?The Rider University field hockey won its seventh game in a row and third in a row by shutout, defeating Robert Morris on Sunday in a Northeast Conference game. “It's good for us mentally to know that if one goals in we have a solid chance to win the game,” said head coach Lori Hussong. “We've done a great job keeping our opponents outside the circle.”
For the Broncs, junior goalie Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) extended her scoreless streak to 269:52, picking up her 10th win of the season.
“Prior to the season, we had to write down our goals and one of mine was to get three shutouts,” said Johnson. “I never dreamed that it would be three in a row, let along three conference games. Our defense takes so much pride in their effort and they have made my job pretty easy in the goal. We are having a lot of fun out on the field right now.”
Johnson made two saves as the Broncs out-shot the Colonials 13-2.
“We've been improving every game and th defense has been getting stronger,” said senior co-captain Julie Vaccarelli (Oceanport/Shore Regional) who was one of six seniors honored prior to the game. “It's an awesome thing to see the team grow together. Lyndsie has come up with huge saves for us and we do our best to keep the ball out of the circle.”
“It was special to give our seniors the shutout on senior day,” Johnson said. “It was emotional because they have keep us together all season. It was nice to be able to give them that as a going away present.”
Senior Diana Celebre (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North) scored her team-leading 10th goal of the season 12 minutes into the game off an assist from senior Tricia Crotty (Lewistown, Pa./Indian Valley) to give Rider (10-5, 4-0 NEC) a 1-0 lead.
Sophomore Amanda Barretta (Roseland/West Essex) notched her fifth goal of the season off a rebound 15 minutes later giving the Broncs a 2-0 lead at the half.
“Diana (Celebre) hit the ball in and I shot it, the goalie blocked it and then I hit it into the cage,” remembered Barretta. “Diana and I have been working pretty well together in front of the cage.”
Freshman Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) converted on a penalty stroke with 13 minutes remaining in the game for the final score. Egusquiza now has five goals on the season.
Robert Morris (4-11, 1-4 NEC) held a 10-9 penalty corner advantage.
Rider defeated Robert Morris 1-0 in 2007 and has won four of the five games all-time against the Colonials.
This is Rider's longest winning streak since two separate seven game winning streaks during the 2004 season. That season, the Broncs advanced to the NCAA Tournament after winning the NEC Championship.
“We've been coming together as a team,” Barretta said. “Not only the offense but the defense as well. Everyone has been working very well together.”
“Earlier in the season some of the plays you were hoping you would make a play,” said Johnson. “Now I'm confident that I'm going to make every play. The ball looks really big right now. You know your defense is going to be right there and all of us are playing with confidence.”
“As we keep winning and have attained more success, I think that has had played a big part in how they are playing,” said Hussong. “Everyone is contributing and that has made us a good team this year. Everyone is capable of scoring and that's very hard for our opponents to stop defensively.”
This is Rider's ninth season in a row with at least 10 wins, all nine under Hussong.
The Broncs travel to Loudonville, New York for an NEC game on Friday, October 24.
“We confident that we are going to win each game,” Barretta added. “We're excited about the games coming up.”
“I know I keep saying this but we are taking things one game at a time,” said Hussong. “We have a tough game coming up against Siena and can't look ahead on anything.”
