College Field Hockey
Rider University 4, La Salle University 1
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.--The Rider University field hockey team opened the 2010 season with an impressive 4-1 win at La Salle University Sunday afternoon at DeVincent Field in Philadelphia.
"It was really important for us to set the tone and start the season off on a good foot," said head coach Lori Hussong, who is in her 11th season at Rider. "We played with intensity and speed, despite the almost 100 degree heat coming off the turf."
For the Broncs, freshman Alicia Govannicci (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) scored the game-winner at the 27:00 minute mark on a tip-in off a shot by junior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) during a penalty corner.
"Alicia played like a veteran," said Hussong. "Her skills on the field and her desire to get the job done is second to none. We need everyone to play like that. She did a nice job in the opener."
"I was really happy to start the season off that way," Govannicci said about her first collegiate goal in her first collegiate game. "I'm happy that the team played well and that I was able to contribute."
Rider (1-0) sophomore Marlaine Schneider (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy), the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year last season, picked up right where she left off with a high shot that found the corner of the goal in the 15th minute, giving the Broncs a 1-0 lead.
La Salle (0-1) tied the game less than five minutes later on a rebound.
"It is always interesting to see what happens when the chips are down," Hussong said about the team's reaction when La Salle tied the game. "We regrouped and played harder after the Explorers tied the game and that resulted in three more goals."
The Broncs led 2-1 at intermission.
Sophomore Jackie Adams (Medford Lakes/Shawnee) made the score 3-1 in the 59th minute on a far side shot with junior Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/W. Windsor Plainsboro-North) scoring off a penalty corner in the 66th minute off of Egusquiza's second assist of the day for the final score.
"Everyone hustled all over the field," Egusquiza said. "Especially in the second half, we picked it up and played very well. Starting the season with a win, especially on the road gives us a good amount of confidence."
Rider out-shot La Salle 25-7 and the Broncs held a 14-6 penalty corner advantage.
Freshman goalie Rachel Yacovett (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville Area) made two saves in her first collegiate game to pick up the win.
"It was really exciting," Yacovett said about starting her first game as a freshman. "It was a great team effort and everyone contributed to the win. I was excited to get the opportunity to play."
"We played solid team defense and put pressure on the ball at all times," Hussong added. "Our game is 'pressure and steal' and when we are playing our game, we are hard to beat down the field. The forwards did a nice job in the defensive end of applying back pressure."
Yacovett became the first freshmen goalie since Krysta Bearish in 2003 to start between the pipes for Rider.
"Rachel played like a veteran," Hussong added. "She did a nice job when La Salle picked up a few penalty corners and some fast break opportunities. She stepped up with confidence, was very vocal directing the defense. That helped the defense transition with the offense."
"I think we are going to have a good season," Yacovett added. "As long as we keep up the hard work in practice, then it should be great. I was a little nervous but I was able to turn it into positive energy."
Emma Ruth made eight saves for La Salle.
Rider has won 21 of the 29 games (one tie) in the series against La Salle, including a 2-1 overtime win in Lawrenceville last season and a 2-1 overtime win in 2008 that went to penalty strokes. The Explorers defeated the Broncs 2-1 in double overtime in 2007 with Rider winning a pair of 1-0 games in 2006 and 2005.
The Broncs host Colgate on Sunday, September 4 at noon in the 2010 home opener at the new turf field on the Lawrenceville, New Jersey campus.
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