College Field Hockey
Lock Haven University 1, Rider University 0 (ot)
Northeast Conference Game
LOCK HAVEN, Pa.?The Rider University field hockey team had its eight game winning streak snapped at Lock Haven, falling 1-0 in overtime to the Lady Eagles on Sunday in a Northeast Conference game. “We played a tough as we could play,” said head coach Lori Hussong. “We just didn't come out on the winning end.”
Amy Hordendorf scored 5:35 into the first overtime to give Lock Haven (16-3, 6-0 NEC) at least a share of the NEC regular season title and clinch the number one seed in the upcoming playoffs November 7-8. The Lady Eagles have won six straight.
Both teams have one game remaining in the regular season.
For Rider (11-6, 5-1 NEC), junior goalie Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) made six saves as Lock Haven out-shot the Broncs 22-5 including 3-0 in overtime. Johnson entered the game with four shutouts in a row and had her shutout streak stopped at 415 minutes.
“We battled and were in the game,” Hussong added. “By all means, Lock Haven did not dominate us. We had our chances and Lyndsie was outstanding again. She came up with some major, major saves.”
Tied at zero at the half, the Broncs made some adjustments to counter the Lock Haven offensive pressure and the shots were 4-4 in the second half after the Lady Eagles held a 15-1 advantage in the opening period.
“We made some adjustments,” Hussong said. “We ran some more side line plays and just played more tenacious. We were able to step up and steal more in the second half. We opened the game a little tentative but we adjusted as the game went on.”
The Lady Eagles had a 12-5 penalty corner advantage.
Junior Kelly Crist (Belford/Middletown North) and freshman Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) each had two shots for Rider.
The Broncs are now 2-2 in overtime this season.
Rider has qualified for the conference playoffs for the ninth season in a row, all under head coach Lori Hussong. The Broncs have advanced to the NEC title game in seven of the previous eight seasons, winning three times. Last season, Lock Haven defeated Rider 3-1 in the finals.
The Lady Eagles have now won 21 straight conference games with their last NEC loss coming against Rider in 2005. Lock Haven has won six of the seven games all-time against the Broncs.
“We were right there with Lock Haven,” said Hussong. “If we could have managed one goal, we would have won. We were right there and it was an even match. We had chances and they had theirs.”
Rider hosts NEC-rival Monmouth on Friday in the final regular season game of the season.
“Every win is important and every game is important,” Hussong said. “We are going to try to end the season on a high note and regain some momentum and confidence as we head into the playoffs.”
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