College Field Hockey - Northeast Conference Semifinals
#4 Monmouth University 2, #1 Rider University 1 (ot)
WEST WINDSOR--The 2009 Northeast Conference field hockey championship game is set and a New Jersey school will be facing off against defending champion Lock Haven at noon on Saturday. The Garden State school however will not be the one everyone expected as the Rider Broncs were defeated by in-state rival Monmouth University in the 2009 Northeast Conference semifinals Friday afternoon.
Monmouth (9-11), the number four seed in the tournament, pulled off the upset, scoring 11 minutes into overtime to defeat top seeded and NEC regular season champion Rider (17-2) 2-1 at Mercer County Community College.
"We were not at the top of our game today," said a disappointed head coach Lori Hussong. "We didn't move to the ball well and give Monmouth credit, they outhustled us to every loose ball. They were ready to play and we weren't up for the challenge."
Rider, scored 40 seconds before halftime with senior Erin McGinniss (Newton/Kittatinny Regional) notching her third goal of the year off an assist from freshman Marlaine Schneider (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy) to give the Broncs a 1-0 lead. Schneider, who was named NEC Rookie of the Year, finished the season with six goals and seven assists (19 points) and was a five-time NEC Rookie of the Week honoree. Sophomore Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain), the NEC Player of the Year, gave Schneider the initial pass off a penalty corner.
Monmouth answered two minutes into the second half with Enza Mazza scoring her 12th of the season off a short corner pass to tie the game at one.
"Monmouth had an excellent game plan," Hussong said. "They moved the ball around nicely and just played better than we did today."
Rider had a golden opportunity to win the game in regulation after Monmouth received a five minute yellow card penalty with 5:01 left in regulation but the Broncs only managed one shot (by Egusquiza) during the player advantage.
Egusquiza had five shots in the game and finished the season with 10 goals and a Rider record 17 assists (37 points). Egusquiza was the NEC Rookie of the Year last season after scoring seven goals with five assists (19 points).
"You shoot the ball 22 times, you expect more than one to go in," Hussong, the NEC Coach of the Year added. "We weren't ready to finish plays and that's what happens when you don't."
In the seven on seven overtime, Rider had several two on one chances with Hawk goalie Melissa Katz making four of her 11 saves in the extra session.
With 12:20 left in the first overtime, the Hawks broke out on a two on none breakaway with junior defender Margaret Ecke (New Egypt) making a diving play before Monmouth could get a shot off on senior goalie Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern).
Monmouth scored when Nora Bosmans collected a rebound off Mazz's fifth shot of the game at 81:00 for her first goal of the year.
Rider out-shot Monmouth 22-10 including 6-3 in overtime and the Broncs held a 12-2 penalty corner advantage.
Sophomore Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/West Windsor-Plainsboro), an All-NEC First Team honoree, led the Broncs with eight shots. Pisani finished the season with 21 goals and 46 points, tying Rider individual season records.
Johnson made five saves for Rider and finished her career with a 30-9 record and 16 shutouts. Johnson entered the game second in the country in goals against average (0.66) and finished her career with a 0.89 g.a.a. Johnson allowed only one goal during NEC regular season play this season and it was against Monmouth.
Undefeated in the NEC regular season, Rider had defeated the Hawks 3-1 on October 9 in West Long Branch.
Rider had defeated the Hawks nine straight times entering the game.
This marked Rider's first overtime loss of the season after four wins. Monmouth improved to 3-2 in overtime this season.
Overall, Rider leads the all-time series 17-7-3 and the Broncs were 3-0 all-time against the Hawks in the NEC playoffs.
Monmouth's last win over the Broncs was September 18, 2002 by a 3-2 score in West Long Branch.
This is only the second time since the NEC playoff tournament began in 1999 that a number four seed has knocked off the top seed in the semifinals. Ironically, it was Rider, as the four seed in 2000 that knocked off the top seed and conference champion Monmouth Hawks 1-0.
This was only the third overtime game in NEC championship history and second involving Rider. The Broncs defeated Sacred Heart 3-2 in double overtime in the 2002 semifinals.
This is only the second time in 10 seasons that Rider did not advance to the NEC championship game. Rider lost to Lock Haven in the 2006 semifinal, also by a 2-1 score.
Rider has won the NEC postseason title 2000, 2002 and 2004 and won the NEC regular season title in 2001, 2003 and 2005 and 2009.
"We had an incredible season," said Hussong. "The players came together and worked hard and had a good run. It is unfortunate that after winning 17 of 18 games, you have to end on a game like this."
Monmouth, which advances to its first NEC championship game, will face three-time and defending NEC champion Lock Haven on Saturday at noon. The second seeded Lady Eagles defeated number three seed Quinnipiac 2-1 in the other semifinal. The Hawks lost to Lock Haven 5-1 on October 25 in West Long Branch.
Named to the All-Tournament team from Rider was Margaret Ecke and Virginia Egusquiza.
-RU-
