College Field Hockey
Hofstra University 6, Rider University 3
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.—The Hofstra University field hockey team broke a 3-3 tie with three unanswered goals in the final 15:11 of the contest, defeating Rider University 6-3 on Sunday afternoon in a non-conference game.
“I'm proud of how we battled back,” said head coach Lori Hussong. “It could have easily gotten to the point of giving up but we didn't. We played hard and got back into the game and that is a credit to our kids. Giving up three goals in the final 15 minutes was unfortunate.”
Trailing 3-0, Rider (8-6) got on the board when freshman Shannon Hughes (South Plainfield) scored her second goal of the season, 4:34 before the end of the first half, on an assist by senior Laura McCormick (West Windsor/WW-P South).
McCormick again helped the Broncs in the scoring column, feeding freshman Allison Baligian (Flemington/Hunterdon Central), who scored her team-leading seventh goal of the season, cutting the deficit to one, 1:58 before intermission. McCormick leads the Broncs with five assists.
“Laura was able to get the ball and make things happen against a very fast opponent,” Lori Hussong said. “It is a confidence booster for her and the other players who hit the scoring column as well.”
Rider tied the game with 25:39 left in the second half when sophomore Carlie Spaeder (Newtown Square, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) scored her fifth of the season with sophomore Kalyn O'Brien (Southampton/Seneca) picking up the assist.
Hofstra (10-5) opened the scoring just 1:46 into the contest with sophomore Colby Hussong credited with assist when Jonel Boileau scored her 11th of the season.
The game featured Hofstra sophomore Colby Hussong facing the Rider coaching staff, led by head coach Lori Hussong and assistant coach Dan Hussong.
“Before the game, we got to see her but after the game started, Dan and I were focused on winning the game,” Lori Hussong said. “She did have a nice assist at the start of the game but we didn't coach any differently with Colby on the field. Bottom line, we are coaching and doing the best job with our team. She played well and her team played well.”
Pride goals at the 19:36 mark and the 26:02 mark of the opening half gave Hofstra a 3-0 lead.
“We started out very tentative and they (Hofstra) came out on fire,” said Lori Hussong. “We were trying to get used to the field and we had trouble containing their speed.”
Rider junior goalie Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) made one save in 63:29 of action as the Pride out-shot the Broncs 22-6.
Rider held a 2-1 penalty corner advantage.
Rider leads the all-time series 12-11. Rider and Hofstra last met in 2013 when the Broncs scored 8:05 into the first overtime to defeat the Pride 2-1. The Broncs won at Hofstra 2-0 in 2012. Hofstra won 5-2 in 2011 and 4-3 in 2010. Rider defeated the Pride 1-0 in 2009 with Hofstra winning 2-1 in 2008.
The Broncs travel to Connecticut for back to back Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games, facing Quinnipiac University on October 24 and Sacred Heart University October 26.
“Playing Hofstra was a good tune up to face Quinnipiac,” Lori Hussong said. “Quinnipiac defeated Hofstra so we know they are very good. It's going to be a tough game and we are going to do our best.”
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