Women's College Soccer
Bucknell University 3, Rider University 0
LEWISBURG, PA— When Rider and Bucknell were conference rivals in the 1960s (Middle Atlantic Conference), '70s and '80s (East Coast Conference), they competed on the field and also for the same recruits, and both institutions prided themselves on their balance of academic and athletic excellence.
Years later, in the first-ever meeting between the Broncs and the Bison in women's soccer, it appears the Bucknell student-athletes are still using their heads, scoring two header goals to defeat Rider in the 2013 season opener Friday afternoon.
Bucknell (1-0) took a 2-0 lead just 1:22 into the second half when a header hit the crossbar and the rebound was headed in.
BU took a commanding 3-0 lead 11 minutes later with another header goal.
Rider (0-1) played like a team that had eight newcomers on the pitch, from all parts of the world, who have been together less than a fortnight.
“We played disjointed, like we've only been together 10 days,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. “We gave up goals in the first five minutes of both halves. We didn't really get going. We looked like we had a lot of freshmen on the field. We seemed very nervous.”
The Bison took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute of play when a blocked shot was picked up in the box and shot into the corner of the Rider net from a tough angle, and Bucknell led 1-0 at the half.
Bucknell out-shot Rider (0-1) 27-10, including 12-2 in shots on goal.
In her collegiate debut, freshman goalkeeper Vanessa Perdomo (Hillsborough, NJ/South Brunswick) played the first half of the game and made four saves, allowing one goal. “She will be disappointed with that goal,” Hounsome said.
Freshman Bethany-May Howard (Glastonbury, England/Bridgewater College) played in the Rider goal in the second half and made five saves. “Beth also gave up a goal that she will be disappointed with,” Hounsome said.
Senior Carolyn Wiley (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) had both of Rider's shots on goal.
Freshman Priscilla Santos (Glendora, Calif./Glendora), freshman Hollie Kelsh (Lancashire, England/Sandbach), freshman Heather Maierle (Wantagh, N.Y./Friends Academy) and sophomore Tara Ballay (Delran, NJ/Delran) were the bright spots.
“There were some positives,” Hounsome said. “A couple of the freshmen midfielders, Priscilla and Hollie had good games, active games. Heather and Tara did a good job.”
Rider enjoyed its winningest season (.676) in program history last year, finishing 10-4-3, but graduated 11 players.
Bucknell was 10-9 last season.
The Broncs were playing without senior Jennifer Meier (Sayville, NY/St. Anthony's), an All-MAAC forward who is sidelined with an injury.
Rider plays the home opener on Friday, August 30, hosting Bryant at 5pm. “We have a lot of work to do before then,” Hounsome said.
Rider fans that use their heads will be there.
-ru-
