Women's College Soccer
Rider University 5, Temple University 0
LAWRENCEVILLE- Junior Abi Cottam (Leominster, England/Ludlow) compiled two goals and an assist to lead Rider to victory over Temple Friday night on Rider's Ben Cohen Field.
The victory was Rider's third in a row and fifth in the last six games. It was also Rider's second consecutive 5-0 victory. "We didn't expect to do that again tonight," said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome, "but as I said before we do have the potential to score big in a lot of our games. Five goals is a lot and to do that two games in a row is good."
Also for Rider (5-2-1) sophomore Bridgette Bartkowski (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) added a goal and an assist.
Bartkowski took a pass from Cottam and scored 6:42 into the game for the only goal the Broncs would need.
Cottam made it 2-0 with an unassisted goal in the 25th minute of play. "Their defender miss-controlled it and I just took a touch," Cottam said. Cottam lifted the ball high over the keeper's head, just under the cross bar. "It went a little higher than I anticipated but somehow it dropped in."
Sophomore Jody Sokol (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) came in off the bench and scored just 30 seconds after stepping onto the field to give Rider a 3-0 lead. "I don't think they even had time to introduce me before the goal," Sokol said with a laugh. "That's my mindset, to go in and try to make something happen."
"We have a lot of good players," Hounsome said. "When Jody goes in we expect her to score. We expect all of our forwards to go in and contribute."
Cottam scored her MAAC-high seventh goal of the season and the 15th of her career to make it 4-0. It marked the third game in a row that Cottam compiled five points. Her 15 goals is already fourth highest ever at Rider and her 41 career points is also fourth most ever among Broncs.
In her brief Rider career Cottam has made a habit of scoring goals once the weather turns a bit cooler. "I've resisted saying that, but I think the proof is in the pudding," Hounsome said. "She's scored quite a few in the last three games, now that the hot weather is gone. She's also coming back from an injury and I think that is showing."
"That's the rumor, that I play better in the colder weather," said Cottam, the MAAC Offensive Player of the Week last week. "I find it easier to breath, easier to recover."
Freshman Sarah Wulk (Sewell/Bishop Eustace) scored her first collegiate goal with just 12 seconds left in the contest. "We play until the very end," said Hounsome, who's Broncs scored in the final second of the game last Sunday.
Rider out-shot Temple (2-5) 18-11.
Rider freshman goalkeeper Danielle Singson (Deer Park, NY/St. Anthony's) played the first 45 minutes and made one save. Rider junior goalkeeper Jenn Nichols (Stratham, N.H./Exeter) played the final 45 minutes and also made one save, as the two combined for their fifth shutout of the season.
The only other time Rider began the season 5-2-1 was 2004 when the Broncs won a program-record 12 games and advanced to the MAAC Championship game.
This was just the second time Rider and Temple have met in women's soccer. The Broncs won the first meeting 5-1 in 2004.
Rider is home again Sunday at 1pm, hosting Drexel. "This game is going to be important," Hounsome said of the Friday-Sunday schedule that his Broncs will see a lot of once conference play begins in October. "We have to figure out how to manage the short turn-around."
Prior to the game the one-year old turf field at Rider, home of the field hockey and soccer teams, was officially named the Ben Cohen Field in a brief ceremony. Ben Cohen is a 2010 Rider graduate who was a dedicated Bronc fan during his time at Rider. Ben and his parents are active supporters of Rider University.
"It was great to see Ben at the game," Hounsome said. "He was a huge fan of all the athletic teams and he seemed to always be at our games. I know some of our alums came back tonight to see him and enjoy the dedication ceremony. A 5-0 win is probably the best way to enjoy it."
"Fingers crossed, hopefully we'll get another 5-0- win on Sunday," Cottam said.
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