College Field Hockey

Rider's Egusquiza NEC Rookie of the Week

LAWRENCEVILLE?Rider University field hockey freshman Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) was named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week for all games October 27-November 2.

This marks the fourth time in the last five weeks that Egusquiza has been honored by the conference.

"This is a great honor for her," said head coach Lori Hussong.  "You couldn't ask for a better start to her Rider career."

Egusquiza led the Broncs to an undefeated week by scoring the game-winning goal against Monmouth as Rider (12-6, 6-1 NEC) defeated the Hawks 2-0 on October 31.  For Egusquiza, it was her third game-winning goal of the season.

Egusquiza is one of only five Broncs (and the only rookie) to start all 18 games this season.

Egusquiza is second on the team in assists (five) and third in goals (six) and points (17).

Rider travels to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania for the NEC playoffs on November 7-8.  The number two seeded Broncs face third seed Sacred Heart in the semi-finals at 11:00am on Friday.  Number one seed Lock Haven faces number four seed Quinnipiac at 1:30pm with the two winners meeting at 1:00pm on Saturday.

"The recognition says a lot," Hussong added.  "We are playing our best hockey of the season and it is great to see the players acknowledged for their hard work, not only Virginia but the entire team.  We are at the top of our game right now going into the tournament."

This is Rider's ninth straight season qualifying for the NEC playoffs, all under head coach Lori Hussong.  Rider has appeared in seven of the last eight NEC Title games, advancing to the NCAA Play-In game in 2000, 2002 and 2004.

-RU-