College Field Hockey
Rider University 8, Siena College 0
Northeast Conference Game
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y.—Led by two goals and an assist from junior Marlaine Schneider (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy), the two-time defending Northeast Conference champion Rider University Broncs opened the 2011 NEC schedule with an 8-0 win at Siena College on Friday afternoon.
“We got off to a sluggish start but after the first few minutes, we started to play our game,” said head coach Lori Hussong. “Marlaine just got it in her head that she was going to be on the offensive today and she did that. She was the catalyst.”
Junior Gabby Burgo (Collingswood) scored her first of the season, just 6:03 into the contest and freshman Stacey Dileo (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Warde) followed with an unassisted tally, her third of the year, just under a minute later to give Rider (10-1, 1-0 NEC) a 2-0 lead.
Senior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) scored her 11th goal of the season just over a minute later, giving the Broncs a three-goal cushion.
Schneider scored back to back goals midway through the first half, the second assisted by Burgo and Rider led 5-0 at intermission. Schneider now has eight goals on the season.
Sophomore Sandra Penas (Barcelona, Spain) put home her 11th goal of the season, from Egusquiza and Schneider on a penalty corner 59 seconds into the second half to put the Broncs up six with senior Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/W. Windsor-Plainsboro North) taking an Egusquiza pass for her eighth goal of the season, three minutes into the second half.
Freshman Dezarae Fillmyer (Roebling/Florence) scored her first collegiate goal with junior Jackie Adams (Medford Lakes/Shawnee) providing the helper at 48:33 for the final score.
“We're very confident whoever is playing on the front line,” Hussong said about the seven different goal scorers in the game. “From the midfielders up, everyone is capable of scoring and getting the job done. With everyone working together toward that goal, we are going to be tough to stop.”
Senior goalie Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport/Shore Regional) made two saves in the first 58 minutes with freshman Rachel Sload (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) working the final 12 minutes for Rider's sixth shutout of the season.
“Siena had their chances early,” said Hussong. “The defense stiffened up after the Saints put on a few early rushes. If they would have scored, it is probably a completely different game. Especially Virginia in the middle of the field, Siena couldn't get by her and you can't overlook her play today, both offensively and defensively.”
Rider out-shot Siena (0-12) 40-7 with the Broncs holding a 15-4 penalty corner advantage.
Egusquiza, the two-time reigning NEC Player of the Year and the NEC Player of the Week last week, moved into second place on Rider's all-time scoring list and now has 132 career points, passing Bronc Hall of Famer Kelly Hall who had 130 points from 1981-84.
“Virginia is the ultimate team player and isn't worried about any individual accolades or where she ranks on any lists,” said Hussong. “She is only worried about how the team is doing and what she has to do to make the team better.”
Rider defeated Siena 5-0 in Lawrenceville in 2010 and won against the Saints 5-0 in 2009 and 3-0 in 2008. The Broncs have won 22 of the 25 games all-time against Siena including the last 12 in a row.
Currently riding a six game winning streak and winners of 17 straight NEC games, Rider travels to Rhode Island to face Bryant University in an NEC contest at noon on Sunday.
“We are going to have to play our style of game,” Hussong said about facing the Bulldogs. “We know we have to play our best and have everyone hustling to get the job done.”
-RU-
