College Field Hockey
Rider University 5, Siena College 0
Northeast Conference Game
PRINCETON--Any thought of the Rider University field hockey looking past Siena to the game Sunday against defending conference champion Lock Haven was dispelled by the start of the second half.
On the strength of a hat trick by sophomore Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/West Windsor-Plainsboro North), the Broncs defeated Siena (4-13, 2-5 NEC) in a Northeast Conference game, played at Stuart Day School in Princeton, New Jersey. The game was moved to SDS due to the heavy rain from earlier in the week.
Pisani got Rider (16-1, 7-0 NEC) on the board 6:53 into the game, deflecting in a shot by sophomore Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain).
The Saints gave Rider a battle for the balance of the first half, accumulating six penalty corners in the opening 35 minutes, holding Rider to the one-goal lead at intermission.
"We came out a little slow," said head coach Lori Hussong. "Siena came out ready to go and got four quick corners on us. The defense withstood the challenge and gave our offense a chance to get on track. Pisani and Virginia put out some great passing combinations in the game. The goals were gorgeous. It is nice to have someone who can finish out the plays like she can because Virginia makes some great plays."
"We didn't start off at our highest level," said Pisani. "Showing that we could pick it up after halftime really means a lot to us. We stepped up our passing and our intensity level."
Pisani and Egusquiza teamed up again 1:23 into the second half to give the Broncs a two-goal lead.
"Once we get it going and once one player does well, everyone does well and we feed off each other," Pisani added.
"I'm happy that we responded at half time," Hussong said. "The longer Siena stayed in the game, the more confidence they gained. It wasn't just one player, everyone stepped it up in the second half."
Egusquiza scored her 10th goal of the season off a pass from freshman Gabby Burgo (Collingswood) to give Rider a 3-0 lead with less than 15 minutes remaining. Egusquiza has 10 points in her last three games (2 goals, 6 assists).
"We started a little slow," Egusquiza said. "We did a much better job in the second half."
Pisani scored her third hat trick of the season, knocking in her own rebound with nine minutes remaining to put the Broncs up 4-0. Pisani, who had three goals at Temple (September 1) and at Appalachian State (September 19) leads the Broncs with 20 goals.
Pisani had seven shots in the game.
Egusquiza notched her third assist of the day with senior Kelly Crist (Belford/Middletown North) hitting the back of the cage with 7:35 left for the final score. Egusquiza leads the NEC and ranks eighth nationally with 17 assists.
"Today was a big game," said junior Lindsay Rajeski (New Egypt). "We knew Siena was battling for a playoff spot and that they would come out fast. We picked it up in the second half after making some adjustments."
Senior goalie Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) played the first 63 minutes of the game for her 16th win of the season. Johnson made two saves as the Broncs out-shot Siena 26-6. Rider held a 13-8 penalty corner advantage.
"We have great team chemistry," said Johnson who lowered her goals against average to 0.64, third best in the nation. "We are on an emotional high because we have been doing so well. I just sit back in goal and watch the offense having so much fun. It allows me and the defense to just relax and play."
This is Rider's 11th shutout of the year.
"Defensively it wasn't our best game," said Hussong. "We got caught flat across the field a few times and Siena was able to penetrate down the field. The defense has been solid all season and they know that in order to defeat Lock Haven on Sunday, they have to play a complete game."
Rider defeated Siena 3-0 last season in Loudonville and have won 20 of the 23 games all-time against Siena including the last 10 in a row.
Winners of three straight, the Broncs host Lock Haven (16-3, 7-0 NEC) on Sunday at 1:00pm. The game time was pushed back to let the field dry for an extra hour due to the recent rain.
"We've been looking forward to the Lock Haven game all season," Johnson added. "We are confident in how we are playing. We were so close last year (1-0 overtime regular season loss at Lock Haven). We have the potential to beat them and this could be the team to do it."
Lock Haven enters play on a 13-game winning streak after starting the season 3-3.
The winner of the game will be crowned the 2009 NEC regular season champion and will earn the right to host the four-team conference playoffs November 6-7.
Both the Broncs and Lock Haven have clinched berths in the NEC playoffs with Rider qualifying for a conference record 10th straight season. Quinnipiac clinched at least third in the NEC with a win against Robert Morris. The Bobcats are 4-3 in the NEC.
Monmouth, Siena (2-5 NEC), Sacred Heart (2-5 NEC) and Saint Francis (Pa.) (2-5 NEC) are still mathmatically alive for the fourth and final spot. Bryant (4-4 NEC) defeated Monmouth (3-4 NEC) 1-0 on Friday however the Bulldogs are ineligible for the playoffs having joined the NEC this season.
"Home field advantage would be great," Rajeski added about the battle to host NECs. "Having our fans out there supporting us would be great. We are excited and can't wait for Sunday."
Last season at Lock Haven, the Lady Eagles defeated Rider 3-0 in the NEC Title Game.
Prior to the game, Rider will honor its four graduating seniors, Brittany Baxter (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg), Kelly Crist (Belford/Middletown North), Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) and Erin McGinniss (Newton/Kittatinny Regional).
"The table could not be set any better than it is," Hussong added. "We have everything in line and all we have to do is get it done."
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