Women's College Soccer
Rider University 2, Wagner College 1
LAWRENCEVILLE—Senior Alison Brody (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) compiled a goal and an assist to lead Rider to victory over Wagner Tuesday afternoon. “Last year Ali played defender and this year she is an attacking midfielder,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome, “so it was good to see her get on the score sheet.”
Rider (4-4-1) is now 3-0 at home this season. “That is real pleasing,” Hounsome said, “compared to last year when we didn't get one win at home. That's a good sign. You need that going into the conference games.”
“It's great to be 3-0 at home,” said junior Lauren Musumeci (Annandale, N.J./North Hunterdon), who scored her team-high fifth goal of the season just 5:24 into the game. “It makes us more confident knowing that teams can't come in here and have an easy game.”
Musumeci scored on a pass from Brody. “Ali was dribbling down the sideline and I was square to her and she just made a nice pass to me and I was able to cut it from my left foot to my right foot and just take a shot and it went right over the keeper's hands,” said Musumeci, who is now seventh in career scoring (30 points) at Rider and sixth in career goals (11).
“I received the ball on the line and got past the defender,” Brody said, “and then just touched it to Moose (Musumeci) and she took a really nice shot.”
Brody collected a loose ball in front of the net and scored to give Rider a 2-0 lead 3:35 into the second half. “That second goal relieved a bit of pressure there,” Hounsome said. “The ball was crossed in and it bounced off a defender to me,” Brody said. “I took on the defender and shot it into the corner.”
The goal was the seventh in her career but the first since 2007. “It's been a while since I scored,” Brody said, “so it was nice to get back into the offense.”
Wagner (1-7) cut the lead to 2-1 with 28 minutes left, but the Broncs held on for the victory.
Rider freshman goalkeeper Jenn Nichols (Stratham, N.H./Exeter) made three saves for her first collegiate win. “I thought Jenn played very well,” Hounsome said. “She made some big saves, one in the first half on a free kick (from just 20 yards out) and got a good rebound off a penalty kick (that hit the cross bar). She did everything she needed to do and a bit more. She certainly kept us in it.”
Rider out-shot Wagner 12-10, including 8-4 in the first half.
Rider played in front of a crowd of over 350 spectators, on hand for 'Code Cranberry.' “Having Code Cranberry today certainly helped raise our energy level,” Hounsome said.
This was Rider's first win over Wagner and the first meeting between these two teams since 1999. Rider and Wagner met three times in Rider's first three years of varsity status, 1997, '98 and '99, with the Seahawks winning all three.
Rider travels to Canisius Friday and Niagara Sunday to begin Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play. “It is going to be a tough trip,” Hounsome said. “Hopefully we'll play better than we did today, and we'll be successful.”
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