College Field Hockey
Rider University 2, Monmouth University 0
Northeast Conference Game
LAWRENCEVILLE?In the final regular season game of the 2008 season, junior goalie Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) recorded her fifth shutout, leading the Rider University field hockey team to a 2-0 win over Monmouth on Friday. “We didn't play badly,” said head coach Lori Hussong. “We are going to need to execute better once we get into the playoffs. We missed a lot of open nets today.”
Johnson made three saves in the game.
“It was a team effort,” Johnson said. “The defense was great and it was awesome to be able to pick up another shutout.”
Johnson allowed only two goals in the seven conference games this season for a 0.28 goals against average and lowered her overall g.a.a. to 1.07, 10th best in the nation.
“Last year we were up 2-0 against Monmouth and they scored two late goals to force overtime,” Hussong said. “We worked very hard not to let them back into the game.”
“The defense was powerful and strong,” said senior Diana Celebre who scored her team-leading 12th goal of the season for Rider. “Lyndsie is playing strong and the defense is getting the ball out of the circle before it gets to her.”
Bronc rookie Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) scored her sixth goal of the season off an assist from senior Julie Vaccarelli (Oceanport/Shore Regional) giving Rider a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game.
Five minutes later, Celebre (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North) scored off a Tricia Crotty (Lewistown, Pa./Indian Valley) end to end rush, giving Rider (12-6, 6-1 NEC) a 2-0 lead.
“Tricia worked the ball down the field and made a great pass,” Celebre remembered. “I was there to lift it in. We wanted this game bad to give us momentum heading into the playoffs.”
The Broncs out-shot Monmouth (3-15, 2-5 NEC) 18-5, including 14-2 in the first half.
Rider held a 17-6 penalty corner advantage.
This was the first game for junior Kelly Crist (Belford/Middletown) against her former school. Crist was Monmouth's leading scorer the past two seasons before transferring to Rider last spring.
"This was a sweet win,” Crist said. “I was happy that we were able to put in two early goals. It was a little bittersweet to beat them. I tried to play it like any other game but in the back of my mind it was a big game for me. It feels good that we are going to the tournament and they [Monmouth] are going back home.”
The loss officially eliminated the Hawks from post-season consideration and allowed Quinnipiac (3-4 NEC) to join Lock Haven (7-0 NEC), Rider (6-1 NEC) and Sacred Heart (5-2 NEC) in the playoffs next week.
The Broncs have won 16 of the 25 games (three ties) all-time against their in-state rivals from West Long Branch.
Rider will face third seeded Sacred Heart in the second game of the NEC semifinals on November 7. Rider defeated the Pioneers 3-1 on October 10 in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Lock Haven, the number one seed and regular season NEC champion will face Quinnipiac in the first semifinal on Friday.
This is the ninth straight season that Rider has qualified for the NEC playoffs, all under head coach Lori Hussong (116-62) and the Broncs have advanced to the NEC Championship game in seven of the last eight seasons, winning the title in 2000, 2002 and 2004.
“This is my first opportunity for post-season play,” Crist added. “I'm looking forward to having Rider go all the way.”
“Sacred Heart will be tough,” Celebre added. “They have some good goal scorers but I think we have bonded as a team and have what it takes to pull off the win.”
“Sacred Heart is a physical and aggressive team,” Johnson said. “They are going to want to win and we have to come out at the top of our game and show them we want it more than they do.”
“We are going to have to play our best,” Hussong said. “We beat Sacred Heart on grass earlier this year and now we have to face them on turf. They are a tough turf team.”
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