College Field Hockey
Rider University 4, Quinnipiac University 2
Northeast Conference Semifinals
LAWRENCEVILLE--For the ninth time in 11 seasons, the Northeast Conference field hockey championship game will include Rider University as the top seeded Broncs posted a 4-2 semifinal win over fourth seed Quinnipiac on Friday afternoon.
"We knew it would be a tremendous game going in," said head coach Lori Hussong who has guided the Broncs to 11 playoff appearances in 11 seasons. "Quinnipiac played us tough during the regular season and we knew today would be no different. We knew we would have to play at the top of our game."
For Rider (15-3), senior Lindsay Rajeski (New Egypt) scored twice with junior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) adding a goal and two assists.
"Lindsay has been an outstanding leader all year for us," Hussong said. "Lindsay knew, as a senior, that her career was on the line and she got the job done. She didn't want her season to end."
"We knew it would be a tough game and nothing would be handed to us," Rajeski said. "Quinnipiac is a great team and we knew we would have to come out hard."
Freshman Sandra Penas (Barcelona, Spain) got the Broncs on the board 10:48 into the game with a backhand shot off a pass from sophomore Marlaine Schneider (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy). For Penas, the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year and First Team All-NEC honoree, it was her 14th goal of the season, the most in the nation among freshmen.
Rajeski scored off a corner play with Egusquiza and freshman Alicia Govannicci (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) assisting in the 19th minute to give the Broncs a two-goal lead.
"In crunch time, you rely on your veteran players," Hussong said about Rajeski who has now appeared in 72 games. "She played well today. When you are the top seed, the pressure is really on your team to win in order for the season to be a success."
Quinnipiac (8-10) scored on a corner play less than five minutes before the half and Rider led 2-1 at intermission.
"We played some of our best hockey for the first 20 minutes and then we hit a lull," Hussong said. "I was really proud of how we fought back after they cut the lead to one goal. We didn't roll over and let them tie the game."
Rajeski helped Rider regain a two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half with Egusquiza and Penas assisting. Rajeski, a First Team All-NEC honoree, now has seven goals on the year. Egusquiza, who was a unanimous selection as NEC Player of the Year and is a three-time First Team All-NEC honoree, holds Rider records for assists in a season (22) and career (44).
"We settled down after they scored and regained the momentum," Rajeski added. "You can't hang your head and not battle back or you will lose the game. You have to be tough and rise above it to come out with success."
The Bobcats cut the Bronc lead to one with 14 minutes left before Egusquiza scored her 11th of the season, converting a penalty stroke with 5:23 remaining for the final score.
Rider out-shot Quinnipiac 20-4 including 11-1 in the first half and held a 15-5 penalty corner advantage.
Junior Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport/Shore Regional) won her 12th start in a row, making two saves. Lotito entered the game leading the nation in goals against average and save percentage.
Nicole Lewis made 13 saves for the Bobcats.
Rider improved to 8-0 on its new turf field.
Rider defeated the Bobcats 1-0 in overtime in Connecticut earlier this season and the Broncs have 14 of the 24 games all-time over Quinnipiac.
The Broncs and Bobcats have met four times in the NEC playoffs but never in the semifinal round. Rider defeated Quinnipiac for the 2000 title 1-0, the Bobcats defeated the Broncs 1-0 in 2001 for the NEC title, Rider posted a 2-0 shutout for the 2002 championship over the Bobcats and Quinnipiac returned the favor, winning the 2003 title 2-1.
Winners of 12 straight, the Broncs host second seed Monmouth University in the NEC championship game at noon on Saturday. Rider won the NEC Regular Season Title in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2010 and the NEC Championship in 2000, 2002 and 2004.
The Hawks defeated third seed Bryant University 4-1 in the first semifinal on Friday.
"We are anticipating another tough game," Hussong said about the Hawks. "They are a great team and it is going to come down to who executes plays."
"Monmouth is going to be great competition," said Rajeski. "They are a great team and were a hard fight earlier in the season. We just have to come out ready to go."
The winner of the NEC Title Game will travel to the America East tournament winner on Tuesday, November 9 for the NCAA Play In Game. New Hampshire, Albany, Boston U. and Maine are competing for the America East title this weekend in Durham, New Hampshire. New Hampshire defeated Maine 3-2 and Albany defeated Boston U. 2-1 on Friday.
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