Box Score Women's College Soccer
Rider University 2, Saint Peter's University 1 (overtime)
JERSEY CITY, NJ— In popular culture it is said that the 'pearly gates' or the gateway to Heaven is guarded by Saint Peter. Rider appears to be heading toward a better afterlife, or postseason, with a victory over Saint Peter's Wednesday night.
“With the win we clinch a playoff spot,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome.
The Broncs defeated Saint Peter's on an overtime 'own goal' for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory Wednesday afternoon.
The own goal came in the first minute of overtime. “Caroline (Healy) did a great job of driving down the sideline,” Hounsome said, “and put in a good cross. The defender tried to clear it and put it in the net.”
In regulation, Rider (10-4-1, 5-2-1 MAAC) out-shot Saint Peter's (1-16, 1-7 MAAC) 13-6, including 9-3 in shots on goal.
Rider freshman Ellie Smith (Norwich, England/Norwich City) scored her second goal in the last two games to tie the score at 1-1 with 33 minutes left to play on an assist from sophomore Caroline Healy (Dublin, Ireland/Alexandra College). It was Healy's third assist in the last two games.
“Caroline is playing well,” Hounsome said. “She is causing havoc. Smithy has been getting into good positions all year but lately she has been showing more composure in her finishing.”
Saint Peter's took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute of play and led 1-0 at the half.
Rider sophomore goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard (Glastonbury, England/Bridgwater College) made two saves.
It marks the second time in the last three years that the Broncs have compiled 10 wins in a season. Only the 2003 (11-7-2) and 2004 (12-7-2) teams won more than 10 games. “The 10 wins is nice but securing the playoff spot is what really matters,” Hounsome said. “We now know we are in the playoffs for the second year in a row.”
It also marks the third year in a row and the fourth year in the last five that the Broncs won five MAAC games. Only the 2003 (6-3) and 2004 (6-2-1) teams won more than five MAAC games.
Rider defeated Saint Peter's 3-1 last season. Rider and Saint Peter's have now met 19 times with Rider winning 15, including eight of the last nine.
The victory over Saint Peter's was part of the hOURglass Rivalry. Since MAAC members Rider, Saint Peter's and Monmouth are all about an hour from each other, the three-way rivalry between them is called the hOURglass Rivalry, with the emphasis on OUR, as in this is OUR Rivalry.
Rider competes at Siena Saturday. “Now we are trying to secure a position where we can host a playoff game,” Hounsome said. The third and fourth place teams host the fifth and sixth place teams in the first round of the MAAC Tournament November 1. “Now we are in third place so it is in our own hands.”
That would be pure Heaven.
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