College Field Hockey
Hofstra University 5, Rider University 2
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.--The Rider University field hockey team had its four game winning streak snapped with a 5-2 non-conference loss at Hofstra on Sunday afternoon.
"We played well for about the first 64 minutes of the game," said head coach Lori Hussong. "After we got to within 3-2, Hofstra really took it to us and we couldn't stop them. We competed with them but when it got tough at the end (in the last six minutes), we didn't step up to the challenge."
Trailing 2-0 late in the opening half, Rider sophomore Sandra Penas (Barcelona, Spain) scored her team leading sixth goal of the season, with junior Ellie LaBar (Oaklyn/Collingswood) providing the assist with 12 seconds left in the period and the Broncs trailed 2-1 at intermission.
"Trailing early took us out of our game plan a little," Lori Hussong said. "But we fought through that and worked hard to get back into the game. Scoring right before the half was really big."
After the Pride took a 3-1 lead with 20 minutes remaining in the contest, freshman Stacey Dileo (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Wade) scored her second of the season from junior Marlaine Schneider (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy) and senior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) with 15 minutes left to bring Rider to within one for the second time.
"Even when we were down 3-1, we were still in the game," Lori Hussong said. "We came back twice and made it a one goal game. We played our hardest and battled. I'm proud of the effort."
Hofstra (4-4) notched two goals in the final 3:19 for the final score.
The Pride scored 12:24 into the contest and added their second goal six minutes before the half, opening up with a 2-0 lead.
The Pride out-shot Rider 23-20 with Penas taking 11 of the Bronc shots.
Rider held a 14-13 penalty corner advantage.
Senior goalie Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport/Shore Regional) made 11 saves for the Broncs. "We had a couple of late defensive breakdowns late and that didn't help," Dan Hussong added. "Rebecca made some nice saves in the game but Hofstra had some quality goals as well."
Lotito entered play with a goals against average of 0.27 but watched it go up to 1.28 after the Pride scored five times.
Hofstra defeated Rider 4-3 in overtime in 2010 and the teams have now split the 20 games in the series.
Rider hosts Radford on September 17 at 1pm on the Lawrenceville campus. The Broncs are 10-0 all-time on their new turf field.
"We expect the same type of game against Radford," Lori Hussong added. "They have a very strong program and move the ball down the field nicely. It is going to be a challenge for us but we are back home and I expect that we will come out strong and play our game."
-RU-
