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LEWISBURG, Pa.--Senior Megan Pisani (Plainsboro/WWP-North) scored a career-high four goals as the Rider University  field hockey team defeated Bucknell on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game.

Pisani, the 2010 Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, is just rounding back into form after off-season hip surgery that has limited her time on the field.

"I can't describe how a game like this feels," said Pisani.  "I feel good and I wanted to make it back for my team.  I'm just happy that I can move and do what I used to do."

Pisani opened the offensive onslaught by hitting the back of the cage on a rebound just 3:52 into the contest.

"We had a good warmup and a good feeling from the start of the game," Pisani said.  "We scored early and that gave us momentum.  We played well as a team and played together."

The Bison held off the Broncs until 2:15 was left in the opening half when Pisani deflected in a shot off a penalty corner by senior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) to give Rider a 2-0 lead at intermission.

"We definitely needed that second goal," Pisani said about the score right before the half.  "We were down a little and needed that to end the period on a strong note and push into the second half.  Scoring was good and gave us momentum."

"It was good to see us score more than we have been," said head coach Lori Hussong.  "I thought we lacked a little energy in the first half but we made some adjustments and came out stronger in the final 35 minutes and got some things going.  It was a good day overall."

Junior Marlaine Schneider (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy) took a loose ball on the baseline and hit the back of the cage for her fourth tally of the season 2:36 into the second half with Pisani giving the Broncs a 4-0 lead three minutes later by converting a Bison turnover in the circle for her fourth career hat trick.

Pisani picked up her fourth goal of the day and sixth of the season, deflecting a pass from freshman Stacey Dileo (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Warde) with 22 minutes remaining to move into seventh on Rider's all-time scoring list with 93 career points.

A Rider player last scored four goals in a game on August 28, 2005 when Stephanie Walker had a hat trick plus one against Catawba in a 9-0 win.

"Having Megan back at full strength really helped us," Hussong said about her senior co-captain.  "In order for us to be successful, we need to have her on the field and playing at her best.  I'm happy for her because her confidence is back and she is making progress off a very tough injury.  She has persevered."

Egusquiza converted a penalty stroke with 9:01 left for the final score, notching her sixth goal of the season.

Senior goalie Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport/Shore Regional)  made three saves as Rider out-shot Bucknell (2-5) 18-9 and the Broncs held a 7-3 penalty corner advantage.

Lotito, who is 19-3 in her Bronc career, lowered her goals against average to 0.90 and recorded her fourth shutout of the season and 11th of her career.

"Tito and the whole back line are getting better and better with each game," said Hussong.  "There are gaining much needed experience.  Rebecca only had three saves but two were on breakaways and could have really changed the outcome of the game."

Rider (6-1) has won two straight and broke a three-game losing streak against Bucknell.  The teams last met in 1995 with the Bison winning 1-0.  Before today's game, Rider's last seven meetings with Bucknell (since 1984) were all decided by one goal with the Bison winning five of the seven.

The Broncs have won five of the 13 games all-time against Bucknell with the last win coming in 1987.

"Even though we haven't played Bucknell since I've been at Rider, they are always a strong program," Hussong said.  "Historically, we've had tough games when we've played."

Rider travels to Lock Haven on Sunday for a non-conference game against its former conference rival at 1pm.

"We are expecting a war as usual," Hussong said about the Lady Eagles.  "They are a good program and are well coached and we always have great games against them.  They are great competition that will challenge us and we are looking forward to Sunday.  Our goal is to get better every game and that is what we are focused on for tomorrow."

"Lock Haven is a huge rival," Pisani added.  "We just have to come out strong and ready to go and play aggressive."