College Field Hockey
Hofstra University 2, Rider University 1 (ot)
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.?The Rider University field hockey team opened the 2008 season with a 2-1 overtime loss at Hofstra Sunday afternoon. “It was a well played game,” said head coach Lori Hussong, in her ninth season at Rider. “Both teams played well and it was a shame that we came out on the losing end.”
For the Broncs, senior Tricia Crotty (Lewistown, Pa./Indian Valley) scored her 33rd career goal, with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game at one, off an assist from sophomore Lindsay Rajeski (New Egypt).
“Tricia is a seasoned veteran [team co-captain] and is doing an excellent job leading us,” said Hussong. “When the chips are down, we know we can count on her to make something happen.”
“I scored off a corner,” Crotty remembered. “Lindsay Rajeski shot the ball and it went wide off to the side of the cage and I was right there on the post to put it in. Even though I've scored a lot of goals in my career, it has always been a team effort. Anyone on the team is capable of scoring and on any given day can be that ?go to' player. We always work together and if it isn't me, someone will step up and get the job done.”
Hofstra (1-0) broke a scoreless tie three minutes into the second half and notched the game-winner two minutes into overtime.
“Our kids stood the test against a team that had four international players,” Hussong said. “We forced the overtime with a late goal and had several chances to win it at the end of regulation. I am proud of the way we played. We just made one bad mistake in the overtime.”
The Pride out-shot Rider (0-1) 15-10.
Junior Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern), making her first career start, made eight saves for the Broncs.
“Lyndsie was awesome,” Hussong said. “She came up with some huge saves for us that kept us in the game. There were some tough rebounds that she was able to make a play on. We are stronger defensively than we've been over the last three seasons. We are contesting the shots better and anything that gets through, we all have the confidence that Lyndsie will make the play. We are secure with her back there.”
“Lyndsie did a good job for her first game,” Crotty added. “She stepped it up and came out to make some great plays. We got out-shot and she kept us in the game and gave us the chance to tie it and force overtime. She has some big shoes to fill [replacing two All-Conference goalies] and I think it will go well for her.”
The Broncs have won nine of the 17 games against Hofstra all-time but have not defeated the Pride since 1994.
Rider went 3-1 in overtime in 2007 after going 1-2 in o.t. in 2006 and the Broncs are 14-11 all-time under Hussong in overtime games.
The Broncs are 2-7 in season openers under Hussong, all one goal games, with three of the nine opening games finishing in overtime.
Rider travels to Villanova on Wednesday night.
“I'm hoping that the lessons we learned today will carry over against a tough Villanova squad,” Hussong added. “I think we are equal to them and we will do our best to get the job done.”
“I'm excited to play Villanova,” Crotty said. “Based on how we played today, I think we will bring it together against another strong opponent.”
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