Women's College Soccer
Monmouth University 3, Rider University 0
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ— Overlooking the Great Lawn Soccer Field here at Monmouth University is the centerpiece of the campus, Wilson Hall. Named to the National Register of Historic Places, the 86-year old building was used as Daddy Warbuck's mansion in the film version of Annie.
Rider had a Hard-Knock Life type of game at regionally ranked Monmouth Wednesday night, as the Broncs lost to Monmouth in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game.
“It was a good game,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. “They are a talented team with a lot of good athletes.”
Currently ranked sixth in the Northeast Region by the NSCAA, Monmouth (12-0-1, 6-0-1 MAAC) took a 1-0 lead just 8:30 into the contest on a penalty kick, the only goal the Hawks would need. “We gave away a penalty,” Hounsome said, “but then we settled down. We played well and I'm pleased with the way we battled. Jennifer Meier (Sayville, NY/St. Anthony's) looked good again, (junior) Kristen Clarke (Mastic, NY/Eastport South Manor) did well in the back. There were a lot of solid performances.”
The score remained 1-0 until there was just 7:08 left when the Hawks scored on an unassisted goal. The final goal came with less than three minutes remaining. “We we tried to press and get the goal that left us exposed for their two late goals.”
Monmouth out-shot Rider (6-6, 3-3 MAAC) 22-11, including 12-4 in shots on goal. “We hit a cross bar in the first half, hit a post in the second half,” Hounsome said.
Rider freshman goalkeeper Vanessa Perdomo (Hillsborough, NJ/South Brunswick) played the first half and made five saves, while freshman Bethany-May Howard (Glastonbury, England/Bridgwater College) played the second half and made four saves.
Rider and Monmouth tied 1-1 last year, also here on the Great Lawn at Monmouth.
Rider and Monmouth have now met 12 times since the series began in 1999, with the Hawks holding a 7-2-3 advantage in the series. The last time Rider defeated the Hawks was 2003.
The Broncs are hoping the Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow, or at least on Saturday when Rider plays its final away game of the season at Manhattan before ending the regular season with a pair of home games.
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