College Field Hockey
Rider University 3, Temple University 0
LAWRENCEVILLE--On the strength of two goals and an assist by junior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) and a shutout from junior goalie Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport/Shore Regional), the Rider University field hockey team won its third game in a row, defeating Temple University on Wednesday afternoon.
"The defense played really tough today," said head coach Lori Hussong. "That is something that we've really been working on. Our whole back line of senior Kristy Kelly (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom), senior Lindsay Rajeski (New Egypt) and senior Margaret Ecke (New Egypt), they just came up with big plays for us, played patient and played good, solid team defense which helped out a lot. Sophomore Jackie Adams (Medford Lakes/Shawnee) also put on some great back pressure. We just made it difficult for Temple to move the ball down the field."
During a penalty corner, Egusquiza passed to Rajeski who scored from 14 yards out for her second of the season, 20 minutes into the contest to give Rider (6-3) a 1-0 lead. Egusquiza leads the Broncs with 10 assists.
Egusquiza scored on a penalty stroke less than 10 minutes before halftime to give the Broncs a two-goal lead. Egusquiza, who had eight shots on the day, has goals in five straight games.
"I was happy that we
didn't let down after we scored," Hussong said. "We came right back and
got another goal. After surrendering leads in the three games that
we lost, we've really focused on maintaining the lead and keeping the
momentum."
"We were down after we had lost three in a row but we've rebounded and are feeling better about ourselves," Egusquiza said. "We are playing more as a team."
Rajeski and Egusquiza teamed up again on a penalty corner with Egusquiza scoring from nine yards out, for her sixth goal of the season, five minutes before intermission and Rider led 3-0 at the half. Rajeski finished with a goal and an assist.
Lotito picked up the shutout win without having to make a save.
"I only had to touch the ball once and that was a loose ball," said Lotito who notched her third win in a row. "The defense and offense, collectively was awesome. For the defense especially, it is a great feeling when you record a shutout that we all did our job."
"The defense did an amazing job," Egusquiza said. "We did well with our back pressure and each unit was there to help each other."
Rider out-shot Temple (4-6) 27-4 and held a 12-3 penalty corner advantage. The Broncs entered play leading the nation averaging 12.75 penalty corners per game.
After being out-scored 8-5 during the three-game losing streak (all one-goal losses), Rider has out-scored its opponents 13-1, in winning three straight, two by shutout.
"I think we've learned more from the three games that we lost," said Hussong. "We know how bad it feels with three one-goal losses and I think we have refocused ourselves through experiencing that adversity."
Sarah Dalrymple made 10 saves for the Owls.
After starting the season 4-0, Temple has lost six straight.
Rider has now won two straight over Temple including a 4-1 win in Philadelphia last season. The Owls had defeated Rider seven straight times since the series began in 1984 prior to last season. Temple defeated the Broncs 3-2 in 2008, 3-1 in 2007 and 1-0 in 2006.
After six straight road games, this was only Rider's second home game on its new turf field. The Broncs defeated Colgate 5-0 at home on September 4. Rider has not allowed a goal at home, out-scoring its opponents 8-0.
Rider hosts Villanova in the final non-conference game of the regular season on October 6 at 4:00pm on the Lawrenceville, New Jersey campus.
"We are starting to get things together," Lotito added. "I have so much confidence that we will do well the rest of the season."
"I think we are improving with each game," Hussong said. "It has been a long process this year. We are working hard and the team is doing everything that we ask of them. They have had great hustle and determination."
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