College Field Hockey
Rider's Egusquiza / Celebre Honored by the NEC
LAWRENCEVILLE?For the third week in a row, Virginia Egusquiza of the Rider University field hockey team was named Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week with Bronc senior Diana Celebre receiving NEC Co-Player of the Week honors for all games played October 13-19.
Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain), a 5-4 midfielder, had a goal and an assist as the Broncs defeated Saint Francis (Pa.) 5-0 on October 17. Egusquiza scored on a penalty stroke in Rider's 3-0 win over Robert Morris on October 19 and had five points during the week.
“It is quite an accomplishment for Virginia to receive conference recognition three weeks in a row,” said head coach Lori Hussong. “She is playing very well.”
Celebre (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North), a 5-3 forward, scored a hat trick against Saint Francis (Pa.) and scored the game-winning goal against Robert Morris for an eight point week.
“Di is playing the best field hockey of her career at Rider,” said Hussong. “She comes off the bench and is like a ?little spark plug'. She has been key for us and has scored some major goals.”
Egusquiza has five goals and four assists on the season and has scored in three straight games.
“Winning the award three straight times says a lot about the player that she is and the work she has put in,” Hussong added about Egusquiza. “Once she adapted to the American style of play and our system here, she became more productive on the field.”
Celebre leads the Broncs with 10 goals and 23 points and has scored in four straight games.
“Diana has worked very hard to be in the right place at the right time in front of the cage,” Hussong added. “She's ready to react to the rebounds off the goalie because she is in the right position.”
Winners of seven straight games, Rider (10-5, 4-0 NEC) travels to Siena for an NEC game on Friday at 4:00pm.
“This is a big weekend coming up,” Hussong added. “We are taking things one game at a time and are totally focused on the Siena game Friday afternoon.”
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