College Field Hockey
Rider University 4, Robert Morris University 0
Northeast Conference Game
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.-Junior Margaret Ecke (New Egypt) scored twice and sophomore Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) added three assists to set the Rider individual season record as the Rider University field hockey team defeated Robert Morris University in a Northeast Conference game Friday afternoon. "It was a great game for us to bounce back from our first loss of the year," (last Saturday at Rutgers) said head coach Lori Hussong. The team was fired up and ready to play."
Sophomore Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/W. Windsor Plainsboro-North) got Rider (14-1, 5-0 NEC) on the board just six minutes into the game off an assist from freshman Ellie LaBar (Oaklyn/Collingswood).
Ecke scored two minutes later, her third goal of the season off a penalty corner play from junior Lindsay Rajeski (New Egypt) and Egusquiza to give the Broncs a 2-0 lead.
"It was important to jump up early," Hussong said. "It allowed us to focus on playing our style of game. The more you let a team hang around, especially in the NEC, the more they think they have a chance to win the game and it makes it twice as hard to beat them."
"Scoring early got us in control of the game," Ecke said. "It got our offense started strong and kept us working hard."
Ecke scored her second of the day and fourth of the season, 32 seconds before the half off another penalty corner from Egusquiza and freshman Marlaine Schneider (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy) and Rider led 3-0 at the half. Schneider, a four-time NEC Rookie of the Week honoree, now has points in eight of her last 10 games.
"Ecke did very well cashing in on her chances," Hussong said.
"It was great to get back on a roll today," Ecke said. "It felt good to get a chance to play again after six days between games and shake off the loss. We were ready mentally and we used today's game to build our confidence back up."
Pisani scored her team-leading 17th goal of the season, off of Egusquiza's third assist with 18 minutes left for the final score. Pisani led the Broncs with eight shots in the game.
Egusquiza, the NEC Rookie of the Year last season, leads the Broncs with 14 assists this season, setting the individual Rider record. Kellie Fisher (1991) and Pam Costigan (1984) had 13 for the Broncs.
"Virginia is definitely a play maker on the team," Hussong said. "She would rather set up a goal than score herself. We'll take what she is giving us."
"I had some good passes and my teammates were able to finish the plays," Egusquiza said. "They put together some really good endings."
Senior goalie Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) made one save as Rider out-shot the Colonials 27-1 and held a 12-3 penalty corner advantage. Stephanie Seeley made 14 saves for RMU. Johnson has not allowed a goal in her career (two games) against the Colonials.
Johnson tied the Rider individual single season record for shutouts with eight, set by Jen Cushinotto in 2000. The shutout is the ninth of the season, tying the Rider team record set in 2004.
"The defense played in shutdown mode today," said Hussong. "Everyone was low on their sticks and moved to the ball. The key was the communication that we had. There was much more communication today than there was last Saturday at Rutgers."
Rider defeated Robert Morris 3-0 last season, 1-0 in 2007 and 5-0 in 2006 and have won five of the six games all-time against the Colonials. RMU last scored against Rider on September 23, 2005 when the Colonials won 1-0 at Moon Township.
First place Lock Haven (5-0 NEC) hosts Sacred Heart later Friday afternoon.
The Broncs travel to Loretto, Pennsylvania for an NEC game at Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sunday. A win against the Red Flash will clinch Rider's 10th straight NEC playoff tournament appearance. "We're expecting a tough game," Hussong said. "They (Saint Francis) still have a chance to make the playoffs. It is important that we play consistent and play the way we know how to play in order to accomplish our goals."
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