College Field Hockey
Rider University 1, Lock Haven University 0 (2ot)
Broncs win 2009 Northeast Conference Regular Season Title
PRINCETON--When you have two teams that are undefeated in conference play entering the final game of the regular season, it is fitting that the game would be decided late in the second overtime.
On the strength of a rebound goal from sophomore Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/West Windsor-Plainsboro North) with 1:35 left in the second overtime, the Rider University field hockey team won its fourth NEC regular season title in nine years with a thrilling 1-0 double overtime game against three-time defending conference champion Lock Haven Sunday afternoon at Princeton Day School.
The game was moved from Rider's home field due to the heavy rain experienced in the last 48 hours.
"I am so happy for the kids," said head coach Lori Hussong, in her 10th season at Rider. "They put in hard work all season long and always believed in themselves. It feels good to see them get the reward that they deserve."
"The game had so much energy and excitement," Pisani said. "It feels great that we were able to finish on top. It was an evenly matched game the whole day. I saw Virginia's initial shot and I was like 'please go in'. I saw the ball come back out to me and I just wailed on it and it went in."
Sophomore Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain), the 2008 NEC Rookie of the Year, took the initial shot that was saved with freshman Ellie LaBar (Collingswood) following with another point blank shot that was saved. The ball dribbled out to Pisani who put it home, just inside the far post for the game-winner.
Pisani's goal was her team-leading 21st of the season, tying the Rider single season mark held by Kelly Hall (1984) (Rider Athletics Hall of Fame 1990) and Christina Ang (2004). Pisani also tied another Ang record (points in a season) matching her 2004 total with 46 points (21 goals and four assists).
Pisani had five of Rider's 15 shots and had just missed ending the game four minutes earlier, pushing the ball wide at the near post.
Senior goalie Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) notched her 10th shutout of the year, making nine saves as the Lady Eagles out-shot the Broncs 16-15.
"Our entire defense bent but didn't break," Lori Hussong added. "We gave and gave and Lyndsie came up big for us at several key moments."
"I am so happy for the team right now," said Johnson who holds the Rider single season record for shutouts. "We put so much effort into the season and into this game. We've been working since mid-August to make this happen and I couldn't ask for a better ending to the regular season."
Lock Haven goalie Erin Terreson made nine saves, including six in the overtime period. "We tested Erin and had some great chances to score," assistant coach Dan Hussong added. "Lock Haven's goalie came up big for them."
Lock Haven held a 14-9 penalty corner advantage.
"It was an awesome game," Lori Hussong added. "Both teams played outstanding and had players making huge plays."
"Today was preparation meeting opportunity," said Dan Hussong. "Lyndsie was prepared because she works hard and is diligent. She was the calm around the storm. Lyndsie also carried us last year when we didn't score as much. She stopped some quality shots. Lock Haven tested her and she came up big. Make no mistake, Lock Haven is a very good team."
This marks only the second time in nine games that Rider has defeated Lock Haven. Last season, the Lady Eagles defeated Rider 1-0 in overtime at Lock Haven and went on to defeat the Broncs in the NEC Title Game 3-0.
"Today was an even game but it felt a little like déjà vu," Dan Hussong said referencing back to last season's 1-0 overtime game at Lock Haven. "The quality of the play at the midfield was outstanding on both sides. We used to take our chances against them and hope a little but now, we are seeing that the teams are more evenly matched."
The teams played an even and up tempo first half with the Lady Eagles holding a 5-2 penalty corner and 7-4 shot advantage.
Lock Haven came out strong to start the second half, causing the Broncs to call an early time out.
The Lady Eagles controlled play for the next 12 minutes, compiling seven penalty corners to none for the Broncs with Johnson having to make two saves. Rider rallied when Lock Haven picked up a yellow card at the 52:29 mark, changing the momentum during the five minute penalty with Rider picking up three penalty corner opportunities during the player advantage.
In the first overtime, Lock Haven had the best chance to win after being awarded a penalty stroke after a foul inside the top of the circle. Johnson was up to the challenge, lunging to her left to make a kick save at the 77:14 mark.
After an early Lock Haven shot went wide to start the second overtime, Rider became more aggressive and picked up three straight penalty corners with junior Margaret Ecke (New Egypt) picking up two shots in the 95th minute. Ecke had kept the game scoreless in the 30th minute of regulation, making a defensive save to preserve the tie.
"I knew this would be a hard game," Johnson added. "We were talking before the game and we had a good feeling but against Lock Haven, it is never easy and they played a very strong game."
Lock Haven (16-4, 7-1 NEC) entered play on a 13 game winning streak. The three-time defending NEC champion Lady Eagles had won 31 consecutive games against NEC opponents.
The win secures the top seed for Rider (17-1, 8-0 NEC) in the four-team NEC playoffs November 6 and 7 with the Broncs hosting the tournament at Mercer County Community College.
Rider has advanced to the NEC Title Game in eight of the last nine seasons including the last two years against Lock Haven.
"This was 'THE' year for the senior class," said Pisani. "This was their last chance to get a title and we all wanted to get this done for them."
"This was our last shot for a championship," Johnson said. "I didn't want to be the class that didn't add a championship to the history of the program and now we have one down and one (post-season title) to go."
Rider honored the senior class of 2010, Brittany Baxter (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg), Kelly Crist (Belford/Middletown North), Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) and Erin McGinniss (Newton/Kittatinny Regional) prior to the game.
The official playoff pairings will be announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon. Top seed Rider will face off against number four seed Monmouth (4-4 NEC) at 11:00 AM on November 6 with second seed Lock Haven (7-1 NEC) playing third seed Quinnipiac (5-3 NEC) at 1:30 PM in the second semi-final. The Broncs won at Monmouth 3-1 earlier in the season.
"We have a week to rest up and prepare for Monmouth," Lori Hussong said. "They played us really tough earlier this season and it was a battle. We will have to play our best in order to get the job done."
"Being at home for the playoffs is a dream come true," Pisani added. "We get to have all of our fans there at Mercer County and we'll be able to feed off all of their support."
"The playoffs, anything can happen," Johnson said. "The fourth seed can win it all as much as any other team. We just have to come out ready to play. Monmouth gave us a run for our money earlier this year so we know what to expect and know that we have to play as a team to be successful. Today was a pretty good simulation of what the playoffs will be like. With all of the fans, it definitely felt like a playoff game today."
The two semi-final winners will meet in the championship game at noon on November 7.
"We didn't walk our way into a 17-1 record," Dan Hussong said. "We had to earn our way and fight through some tough games, including four that went to overtime. Lock Haven has had a great season and has great history but we are a pretty good, veteran team as well."
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