College Field Hockey - NCAA Play-In
Princeton University 1, Rider University 0 (2ot)
PRINCETON--The Rider University field hockey season came to an end in double overtime as the Broncs lost a heart breaker at Princeton's Class of '52 stadium in an NCAA Play-In game.
Princeton's Sydney Kirby scored her ninth goal of the season on a penalty corner with Alyssa Pyros assisting, 3:48 into the second overtime to advance the Tigers into the NCAA Field Hockey Championship tournament.
"Princeton is an outstanding team," said 12-year head coach Lori Hussong. "We were the underdogs coming in and we played them tough and left everything on the field. I'm disappointed that we didn't win but I couldn't be more proud of the effort."
For Rider, which saw its 15-game winning streak come to an end, senior goalie Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport/Shore Regional) made eight saves as Princeton out-shot the Broncs 17-9.
"Tito, as a goalkeeper, has really gone under the radar," Hussong said. "We knew she had to come up big for us today to keep us in the game and she did. She was phenomenal and came up with big play after big play."
"This was a hard ending," Lotito said. "When you have a shutout going and it suddenly ends, it is really tough. Overall, everyone played amazing and gave Princeton everything we had. I'm disappointed but you can't be upset at the effort. I'm proud of my team. We showed that we belonged on the same field as Princeton and fought until the end."
For the Broncs, senior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain), a three-time NEC Player of the Year, had five shots, including three on goal. Egusquiza graduates as Rider's all-time leading scorer and holds the Rider single season and career assist records. Egusquiza will participate in the senior all-star game at the NCAA Field Hockey Final Four at the University of Louisville in two weeks.
"The longer we hung around, the more confidence we gained," Hussong said. "We had some great chances but couldn't score. We couldn't get anything going offensively. Princeton's defense was really, really tough."
The Tigers held a 7-4 penalty corner advantage. Rider entered play leading the nation in both penalty corners and scoring offense. The Tigers held Rider without a penalty corner in both overtimes.
"Princeton was very patient and their passing skills are excellent," said Hussong. "They make you have to beat them one on one and we couldn't get anything going."
This was Rider's first overtime game since defeating Quinnipiac 1-0 in a Northeast Conference contest during the 2010 season.
Princeton improved to 9-1 (one tie) all-time against Rider.
The last time Rider was shutout was in the 2008 NEC Championship game, a 3-0 loss to Lock Haven, a span of 59 games.
"We didn't score and they did," Hussong added. "If you don't score, you can't win."
This was Rider's fifth NCAA-Play In having also competed in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2010 as NEC champions, all under Hussong, the 2011 NEC Coach of the Year.
The Broncs end the season with a Rider record 19 wins with the team setting team records for goals, assists and points. Before today, Rider's only other loss this season was at Hofstra on September 11. The Broncs entered play second in the nation in winning percentage.
"This is a really special team," Hussong said about the 2011 squad. "We returned a lot of veterans but graduated pretty much our whole defense and they stepped up and got stronger as the year went on. We knew the offense was going to be good but the defensive effort this season can't be over looked."
"We always hear about the 2004 Rider team that went to the NCAA Play-In (18-3) and rightfully so," Lotito said. "I think we can now include the 2011 team in that conversation as one of the best teams to wear a Rider uniform and that is something I am proud to have been a part of. We are a special team and a 19-2 record is wonderful."
Champions of the NEC for the third year in a row, Rider returns 15 letterwinners to the 2012 squad and the senior class graduates with the most wins of any four-year period in Rider field hockey history, compiling 65 victories in 80 games
"You can't over look the effort of our six seniors and what they have done for Rider University and the field hockey program," said Hussong. "We are appreciative of their effort and the commitment in making this a successful season. This team will go down as one of the best, if not THE best team in Rider field hockey history."
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