College Field Hockey
Rider University 5, West Chester University 1
WEST CHESTER, Pa.--Rider University field hockey rookie Sandra Penas (Barcelona, Spain) scored twice and added an assist as the Broncs won their second in a row, defeating West Chester 5-1 on Friday in a non-conference game.
Penas, who leads all freshmen in the nation in scoring, got Rider (5-3) on the board in the 25th minute off an assist from sophomore Marlaine Schneider (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy). Penas played 64 minutes. "I feel proud that I'm scoring but I'm just happy when we win," Penas said. "I could not be successful without my teammates."
The Golden Rams tied the score just 10 seconds later.
"That has been a big downfall for us this season," said head coach Lori Hussong. "We score and then we let West Chester right back into the game. Instead of our first goal fueling us, we've been sitting back and letting our opponent dictate play."
Despite several chances, WCU held Rider in check and teams went into the locker room tied at one.
"At halftime we talked about playing to our potential," said Lori Hussong. "It was up to them to dictate how the season was going to go and they responded with four second half goals. They took it to heart, played spirited and stepped it up a notch."
Penas took a pass from junior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) for her team-leading 10th goal of the season, 14 minutes into the second half to give Rider a one-goal lead.
"Virginia was outstanding today," Lori Hussong said. "She was gutsy all over the field and made things happen for us."
"We got a little angry when we were struggling in the beginning part of the game," said Egusquiza. "That helped us to the four-goal second half that we had."
Junior Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/W. Windsor Plainsboro-North) scored her seventh of the season, an unassisted insurance goal with less than 20 minutes remaining to give the Broncs a 3-1 lead.
Pisani assisted when sophomore Jackie Adams (Medford Lakes/Shawnee) put home her second goal of the season at the 58:08 mark with Egusquiza notching her fourth of the year off a Penas assist at 59:43 for the final score. Penas now has 24 points (10 goals, four assists) for the season.
Adams returned to the lineup for today's game after missing the last three weeks due to an injury.
"Comparing the two halves, the second half was exceptional," Lori Hussong added. "We played our style of game, pressure and steal and with intensity. Our defense came up with some big plays and 'Tito' (goalie Rebecca Lotito) played outstanding. She ignited the defense."
Rider out-shot West Chester 25-13 and held a 14-11 penalty corner advantage.
Junior goalie Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport/Shore Regional) made nine saves for her second win of the season.
"Rebecca did well," said assistant coach Dan Hussong. "She gained confidence with each play that she made and she really had to make some tough saves. This was a culmination of hard work. She came in as the backup and has been passionate about getting better and right now, she has won the job. It is very satisfying when your team works hard and earns the reward."
This was Rider's sixth road game in a row.
The Broncs have won three in a row over the Golden Rams and nine of the 19 games (one tie) all-time against West Chester in a series that started in 1992. Rider defeated West Chester 3-0 in Lawrenceville in 2009 and 3-2 during the 2008 season at West Chester. The Golden Rams defeated Rider 2-1 to open the 2007 season with the Broncs defeating WCU 4-3 in 2006.
Rider hosts Temple on September 29 at 4:00pm on the Lawrenceville, New Jersey campus. "It will be nice to return home," Lori Hussong said. "We have our final two games in preparation for conference play and I'm hoping we will springboard our second half effort into the next couple of games."
"We have more fun when we are at home," Egusquiza added. "We get more fans and everyone comes out to support us. We are looking forward to it."
-RU-
