College Field Hockey
Rider University 1, Hofstra University 0
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.--When your team comes into a contest averaging 4.5 goals per game, it is easy to overlook the defense.
Senior goalie Lyndsie Johnson (Gibbsboro/Eastern) and the Bronc back line are trying to make sure that doesn't happen. Posting her second shutout in the last three games, Johnson and the rest of the Rider University field hockey team won at Hofstra's University Field on Sunday afternoon.
"It was an awesome game," said head coach Lori Hussong. "Both teams played really well. It reminded me of a chess match where both teams were very strategic out there. Our defense held up strong. We had several opportunities on the offense end but didn't cash in. We hit the post once, had one we thought went in but it bounced out. The scoring chances were there and fortunately, our defense was tough as nails."
"The defense was definitely put to the test today," said Johnson who lowered her goals against average to 0.80. "They worked extremely hard, especially in the second half. Hofstra came out and put it to us and we used team work and marking to communicate successfully."
Sophomore Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) scored her fourth goal of the season 22 minutes into the game off a shot from the top of the circle after a give and go from freshman Ellie LaBar giving the Broncs a 1-0 lead.
Trailing by one goal entering the second half, Hofstra (3-3) pushed the offensive pace with Johnson having to make both of her saves with less than 20 minutes left in the game when the Pride compiled five consecutive corners.
"There are many scoring opportunities that Lyndsie breaks up before they become a shot," said assistant coach Dan Hussong. "Either by intercepting or communicating with her defense and that is a good sign of a confident, veteran goaltender. Hofstra was dangerous, especially in the second half, applying pressure. We've been winning with offense and today, we won with defense. Our back line and midfield played stellar. Their aggressiveness and cohesiveness really came through."
Freshman Jackie Adams (Medford Lakes/Shawnee) had four shots for Rider (5-0) with Bronc leading scorer, sophomore Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/W. Windsor Plainsboro-North) taking three shots. Pisani was named the Northeast Conference Player of the Week for all games last week after scoring six goals and adding two assists. Adams was the NEC Rookie of the Week the first week of the season after scoring twice in the season opener against Lehigh.
Rider held an 11-6 shot and a 9-5 penalty corner advantage.
The Broncs have won 10 of the 18 games against Hofstra all-time but this is the first time that Rider has defeated the Pride since 1994. Last season in the 2008 opener, Hofstra scored just two minutes into overtime for a 2-1 win. "It feels amazing to beat Hofstra," Johnson added. "They are packed with international players and to beat them after so long, it feels great to be a part of that."
This was the Broncs first one-goal game of the season after going 5-5 in one-goal games last season.
"Anytime you play a tough 70-minute game like this out of conference and on the road, it is going to really prepare you for conference play," Lori Hussong added. "We were happy to see that we were able to stand up to the pressure, not lose our composure and play smart field hockey."
Rider travels to Boone, North Carolina to play Appalachian State on September 19 before a game against Radford in Virginia on September 20.
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