College Field Hockey
Rider University 2, Sacred Heart University 0
Northeast Conference Game
FAIRFIELD, Conn.--In the final road game of the 2010 regular season, the Rider University field hockey team won its seventh game in a row and stayed unbeaten in conference play with a 2-0 win at Sacred Heart on Sunday in Northeast Conference play.
"We got out of dodge with a win," said assistant coach Dan Hussong. "The defense was really, really solid."
"It went ok," said head coach Lori Hussong. "When you shoot the ball 31 times, we need it to go in more than two times. Sacred Heart's goalie played outstanding. The longer they stayed in the game, the more confidence Sacred Heart gained."
For Rider (10-3, 3-0 NEC), junior Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/West Windsor-Plainsboro North) scored the game-winner, rebounding a shot by senior Lindsay Rajeski (New Egypt), seven minutes into the second half.
For Pisani, it was her 10th goal of the season and second game-winner in the past three games. Pisani, who notched the first goal for the Broncs in an NEC win at Robert Morris on October 10 has three game-winners on the season.
"Meg, when the going gets tough, she gets tougher," Lori Hussong said. "She has come through the last few games for us and has gotten us over the hump, while playing injured. I'm proud of her effort; she never quits and never stops trying."
Pisani set a Rider record with 21 goals in 2009.
Rajeski scored on a tip-in along the goal line with junior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) providing the helper with less than 10 minutes left for the final score.
Rajeski has three goals on the season with Egusquiza picking up her team-leading 14th assist.
"Lindsay is providing us with an offensive spark," Lori Hussong said. "She is giving us a 'big ball' off the corner situations and the more confidence she gains, the better off we will be."
Junior goalie Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport/Shore Regional) recorded her fourth shutout of the season, making two saves to improve to 7-1.
"Our defense has come a long way from the beginning of the season," Lotito said. "With each game, I am gaining more and more trust in their play. Today's game was a little tight in the first half but we got two goals in the second half. When we have any type of defensive lapse, someone else in the unit steps up and has their back and that's been the biggest improvement."
"We are playing championship level defense," Dan Hussong said. "That is what we've working toward and has been our calling card all of these years."
Rider out-shot the Pioneers 31-3 and held a 19-1 penalty corner advantage.
Sacred Heart goalie Kim Stow made 15 saves.
"'Tito played well," Dan Hussong added. "Also their goalie made some nice saves as well. We had the ball in their end of the field almost the entire day."
"We are playing tougher," Lotito added. "I'm honored to be part of this team and to be an upperclassman. We are working extremely hard to maintain our level of play. It feels great to be part of this."
After three one-goal losses in a row, the Broncs have won seven straight and have not allowed a goal in conference play, out-scoring the opposition 9-0.
"Every great team or team that wants to be great has to go through some adversity," said Lotito. "It just makes you stronger and shows your comradery. The three-game losing streak has helped us fully realize what our potential could be. We know we can still do better and we keep striving for that."
The Broncs defeated Sacred Heart 3-0 in Connecticut last season with Pisani notching two goals. In 2008, Rider defeated the Pioneers 3-1 in Lawrenceville and 2-0 in the NEC semifinals at Lock Haven. The Broncs have won 16 of the 22 games all-time against Sacred Heart.
In a battle for first place, the Broncs host Bryant on Friday at 7pm in the first ever night field hockey game at the new turf field on Lawrenceville campus.
"It is conference play and it is a very exciting time of the year," Lori Hussong said. "All of the games are close and we are looking for another great battle Friday night."
"This sets the stage for Friday night," Dan Hussong said. "We take each conference game seriously. When you are expected to win, teams play twice as hard against you."
Bryant defeated Robert Morris 4-1 on Sunday and along with Rider and Monmouth (2-0 winners over Quinnipiac) are the only undefeated teams left in the Northeast Conference.
After three straight NEC games on the road, Rider finishes the conference schedule with four straight at home, where Rider is 3-0. "I thought about that this morning that this was the last regular season road trip," Lori Hussong added. "It will be nice to be at home and ending with four straight on the turf field will be a bonus for us."
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