College Field Hockey
Rider University 2, La Salle University 0
LAWRENCEVILLE--The Rider University field hockey team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 2-0 win over La Salle University on Friday night in the 2011 home opener.
"I think the kids played very well," said head coach Lori Hussong. "There was a lot of intensity out on the field. "It was a good home start and our defense showed that they are gelling as a unit. We are happy with tonight's performance."
The game was played before over 300 fans on the Lawrenceville campus.
For Rider, senior Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) opened the scoring 21 minutes into the game, deflecting a shot by sophomore Sandra Penas (Barcelona, Spain) for her third goal of the season. Egusquiza, the Northeast Conference Co-Player of the Week for all games the first week of the season, is now fifth on Rider's all-time scoring list.
"Virginia is Virginia," Hussong said. "When the going gets tough, she gets tougher. She gets the job done for us and gets us through pressure situations. Her senior leadership is outstanding and everything she has done for our program has been incredible."
Freshman Eefje Kok (Berkel Enschot, Netherlands) rebounded her own shot less than 10 minutes before the half, putting the Broncs up 2-0, her second goal in as many games on the collegiate level.
"I tried to do a tip-in," Kok remembered about the play that led up to the tally. "The goalie made a nice play and saved it and I was able to put away the rebound."
"Eefje is getting used to our style of play and used to our playing surface," Hussong said. "She is coming on strong."
After being held without a shot in the opening 35 minutes, La Salle (1-1) took it to the Broncs early in the second half but the Rider defense held strong as senior Rebecca Lotito (Oceanport) did not have to make a save with the Explorers managing only three shots.
The shutout is the eighth of Lotito's career and lowered her goals against average to 0.55. Lotito led the nation in goals against average as a junior.
One of those shots from La Salle came close to making it a one goal game as freshman Katie Fanning (Bridgewater) had to make a defensive at the near post, nine minutes into the second half.
"La Salle definitely stepped up its game in the second half," said Hussong who used a timeout three minutes after intermission to settle the troops. "It was good for our defense to see that kind of pressure and we stepped up to the challenge."
Rider out-shot La Salle 25-3 including 17-0 in the first half and the Broncs held a 15-2 penalty corner advantage.
Lisa Shaffer made 16 saves for La Salle which used four defensive saves, three by Haley Jennings to keep Rider at bay.
Rider defeated La Salle 4-1 to open the 2010 season in Philadelphia. Rider has won 22 of the 30 games (one tie) in the series against the Explorers including a 2-1 overtime win in Lawrenceville in 2009 and a 2-1 overtime win in 2008 that went to penalty strokes. The Explorers defeated the Broncs 2-1 in double overtime in 2007 with Rider winning a pair of 1-0 games in 2006 and 2005.
"Anytime we play La Salle, it is a tough game for us," said Hussong, in her 12th season at Rider. "They are noted for their hard work and hustle and they play a similar style to our program."
"I was nervous about playing my first home game," Kok added. "I'm glad we worked together to get the win. I'm getting more used to the American style of game and my goal is to get better each time I step onto the field. The more we play together, the stronger we are as a team."
"It was our first home game and we were pumped to come out and play a strong defensive game," said junior Ellie LaBar (Oaklyn/Collingswood). "We had a shaky opening game with our defense (three goals allowed against Ball State) but tonight we really picked it up."
Rider is now a perfect 10-0 all-time on its new turf field. "The stadium we have here is so nice," said Hussong. "It is a cozy environment and that gives us a real home field advantage. A lot of alumni came back to support us and the fans were outstanding and helped us get tough when we needed to."
"It was very exciting for the first home game," LaBar added. "Everyone came out and really supported us."
The Broncs travel to Virginia to face Appalachian State (at James Madison) on Sunday before facing Liberty University on Monday.
"We know this weekend is going to be tough for us," Hussong added. "Back to back is always tough. We are facing two competitive teams and it is going to be a challenge."
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