Women's College Soccer
Rider University 5, Wagner College 0
LAWRENCEVILLE-Junior Abi Cottam (Leominster, England/Ludlow) had two goals and an assist to lead Rider to victory over Wagner Sunday afternoon. "We scored early in the first half and late in the second half," Cottam said, "and I think that is good. We showed good character."
"I know we are good," said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome, "and sometimes the final score does not tell the true story. Today I feel was a true reflection. I knew we had the potential to do this."
Cottam scored just 1:28 into the game on a long pass from junior Angela Monaco (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem) to give Rider (4-2-1) the only goal it needed. "That was the quickest goal I've ever had," said Cottam.
"Abi scored at a crucial point in the game," Hounsome said. "That is what we've been talking about."
Sophomore Jody Sokol (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) collected a rebound and scored to give the Broncs a 2-0 lead. "The game was not over at that point," Hounsome said.
In the second half Cottam's shot was saved but not controlled, allowing freshman Amber Mello (Mattituck, N.Y./Mattituck) to knock in the rebound for her first collegiate goal. "Getting our third goal before they could score was the killer," Hounsome said.
"Abi's shot was saved and I just followed it up," Mello said.
Cottam scored her fifth goal of the season and the 13th of her career on another assist from Monaco. "To be honest that was a cross," Cottam said, "but it looked pretty good in the end." Cottam now has 36 points, fourth most ever at Rider, in just 33 games.
Junior Kate Stevens (Deddington, England/Chenderit) scored her first collegiate goal with one second left in the contest.
"It was great to see Amber and Kate get their first goals," Hounsome said.
"This was probably the best we've played this season," said Mello. "We played simple and possessed very well. Being home certainly helped as well."
Rider out-shot Wagner (4-1-1) 29-7. Rider had six corner kicks to Wagner's one. "Five to zero, 29 shots and we played well," Hounsome said. "We controlled the game, dominated the game. Sometimes that can end in a 1-0 overtime loss, like we experienced in our season opener, but today we got a good result."
Rider freshman goalkeeper Danielle Singson (Deer Park, NY/St. Anthony's) played the first 45 minutes and did not need to make a save.
Junior Jenn Nichols (Stratham, N.H./Exeter) played the second half in the Rider nets and made two saves.
Wagner defeated Lafayette 1-0 Friday. The Seahawks began the season with victories over Saint Peter's, Marist and NJIT before tying Howard.
The Broncs recently defeated Howard in overtime.
Rider defeated Wagner 1-0 last year in Staten Island on a goal by Jody Sokol.
Rider and Wagner have now met six times since the series began in 1997 with each team winning three.
Wagner finished the 2010 season 6-13-2, 2-6-2 in the NEC.
Rider hosts Temple Friday night at 7pm in the second of five straight home game. "This is our home turf and it was great to back on it," Cottam said. "
"We're looking forward to this home stand," Hounsome said. "We just went 3-1-1 on the road, which is not bad, so now we want to finish the non-conference schedule strong and today was a great way to start the five home games we have coming up."
"We've built up some momentum so I was not surprised at all as how well we played," Cottam said. "We're now looking to have a run at five home wins."
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