College Field Hockey
Rider University 3, Siena College 0
Northeast Conference Game
Broncs clinch ninth straight playoff berth
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y.?Rider University senior Diana Celebre (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North) scored eight minutes into the game and junior goalie Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) recorded her fourth shutout in a row as the Broncs defeated Siena in a Northeast Conference game Friday afternoon, clinching an NEC playoff berth for the ninth straight season, all under head coach Lori Hussong.
“We spoke before the game that we needed to come out with a ?W' said Lori Hussong. “If we didn't win today, we would have to go into Lock Haven on Sunday fighting for a playoff spot. We needed to win today and while it wasn't easy, it was a huge win. There was a lot on the line.”
Johnson made one save for her 11th win of the season. Johnson has not allowed a goal in 340 minutes, spanning five games. The Broncs out-shot Siena 17-3 and held a 10-3 penalty corner advantage.
“Lyndsie is playing her best field hockey of the season,” Lori Hussong said. “The entire defense is playing extremely well. For us to have four shutouts in a row says a lot about how they are playing.”
“I don't remember having a goalie this hot before,” said assistant coach and goalie guru Dan Hussong. “We had Jen Cushinotto '02 in goal a few years back and she recorded eight shutouts in a season but I don't ever remember four in a row. Lyndsie is one of the hottest goalies in the country right now. She is humble and hard working but is aggressive when she needs to be. She has been a strong leader for us and is very confident. She also practices very hard and you can't over look that effort.”
As a sophomore in 2000, Cushinotto had two shutouts in a row twice, including two 1-0 wins in the NEC playoffs, leading Rider to the NEC Title and the NCAA Play In game at Boston University.
“We started off a little slow today,” Johnson said. “We came together, starting playing better and picked up the win. We're really excited but we are looking at one game at a time and we are focused next on Lock Haven. It's not just one player being a star. It's been everyone and that makes us that much harder to defend.”
Johnson entered the game fifth in the nation in save percentage, 14th in goals against average and 30th in saves per game. With the win, Johnson lowered her goals against average to 1.15.
Freshman Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain), a three-time NEC Rookie of the Week honoree, assisted on Celebre's team-leading 11th goal of the season.
Celebre, the NEC Player of the Week last week, has scored in five straight games, all of the bench and has three game-winning goals on the season.
Bronc senior Tricia Crotty (Lewistown, Pa. (Indian Valley) scored off an assist from sophomore Amanda Barretta (Roseland/West Essex) three minutes into the second half and the duo paired up again, scoring with four minutes remaining for the final tally. “Amanda hit Tricia with two beautiful passes,” Lori Hussong said.
Crotty now has 41 career goals and 98 career points, sixth highest on the all-time scoring list at Rider.
The Broncs have won eight straight overall and have won 19 of the 22 games all-time against Siena including the last nine in a row.
“Siena had nothing to lose,” Lori Hussong added. “They wanted to come out and play the spoiler and they spilled their guts on the field today. We just wanted to make sure we didn't come out on the losing end. Any road conference game is a tough battle.”
Rider (11-5, 5-0 NEC) travels to Lock Haven (15-3, 5-0 NEC) on October 26 for a first place showdown with the Lady Eagles. Lock Haven defeated Monmouth 3-0 on Friday.
Lock Haven defeated the Broncs twice last season including 3-1 in the NEC Title game. “Both teams have been playing extremely well this year,” Johnson added. “We've really gelled together this season and we think we have a chance to give Lock Haven a run for their money.”
“The defense has really stepped up,” Dan Hussong added. “After struggling to start the season, they have found their way. We moved sophomore Margaret Ecke (New Egypt) to the back, and combined with the play of junior Kelly Crist (Belford/Middletown North) and senior Julie Vaccarelli (Oceanport/Shore Regional), our defense has really curtailed the scoring opportunities. All three are playing very solid and stop the ball before it even enters the circle.”
The winner of Sunday's game will clinch at least a tie for the regular season conference title and earn the right to host the NEC playoffs November 7-8.
“When we looked at the schedule, we knew it would come down to the last couple of games in the conference,” Lori Hussong added. “Both the Lock Haven game and the Monmouth game will be huge because of the first place battle and Monmouth will also be fighting for a playoff spot.”
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