Women's College Soccer
Rider University 0, Fairleigh Dickinson University 0 (2ot)
TEANECK, NJ-The Broncs played FDU to a scoreless tie Tuesday evening despite out-shooting the host Knights 25-6.
"We played a really good game, we just couldn't score," said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. "Our defense was real strong. Overall it was a big improvement over Saturday."
For the second straight game, Rider (0-1-1) used two goalkeepers. "They both played well," Hounsome said. "They didn't have too much to do."
Freshman Danielle Singson (Deer Park, NY/St. Anthony's) started the game and made one save.
Junior Jenn Nichols (Stratham, N.H./Exeter) played the second half and overtime and made two saves.
"Our entire back line played very well," Hounsome said. "(junior) Demi Mello (Mattituck, N.Y./Mattituck) played the entire 110 minutes in the midfield and did a great job."
For FDU (0-0-1), Sage Dovale made 11 saves. "She played really well and made some big saves," Hounsome said. "She saved a free kick with about 30 seconds left to play."
Rider had 12 shots on goal to FDU's three. "It's just frustrating," Hounsome said.
For the Broncs, junior Abi Cottam (Leominster, England/Ludlow) had seven shots. A Second Team All-MAAC selection last year, Cottam was playing for the first time this season.
Rider has played two games this season, both going into overtime. "It was the same situation as Saturday (1-0 overtime loss to Mount St. Mary's) where we dominated the game but couldn't do that one thing; put the ball in the net."
Last year Rider's first three games went double overtime. "I think it takes more time for the offense to come around," Hounsome said.
Rider defeated FDU 2-0 in Lawrenceville last year, after losing 3-0 at FDU in 2009. Rider leads the all-time series 3-1-1.
Rider, with no seniors, was picked to finish sixth in the 10-team MAAC after reaching the conference semifinals last year following a nine-win season.
FDU, with nine seniors, was picked to finish 11th in the NEC after a 2-16 2010 season.
Rider travels to New England to play its third Northeast Conference team in a row Friday with an afternoon contest at Bryant University.
"The NEC has a certain style," Hounsome said. "They are well organized and well coached. Bryant has some good players. We need to find a way to win."
Bryant was picked to finish seventh in the 11-team NEC this year.
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