College Field Hockey
Sacred Heart University 2, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Despite the sixth goal of the season from senior Dezarae Fillmyer (Roebling/Florence), the Rider University field hockey team suffered its first conference loss of the season, losing 2-1 at Sacred Heart in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game Sunday afternoon.

“Sacred Heart played an outstanding game,” said head coach Lori Hussong.  “They are one of the most outstanding teams in the conference.  They out-hustled us to every loose ball and we just didn't play well as a team.”

For Sacred Heart (9-7, 3-1 MAAC), junior midfielder Liz Bergman had both goals, her fourth and fifth of the season.

Trailing 1-0 after Bergman's goal on a penalty corner just 6:02 into the game, Fillmyer scored just under five minutes later on a penalty stroke.  Five of Fillmyer's six goals this season have come on penalty strokes.

Bergman scored with 2:59 left before intermission, putting away a rebound after her initial shot was blocked to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead at the half.

Junior goalie Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) made nine saves as the Pioneers out-shot Rider (9-7, 2-1 MAAC) 18-5.

Sacred Heart held an 11-5 penalty corner advantage.

Rider is now 6-5 in one-goal games this season and had won five straight in games decided by one goal.

The Broncs and Pioneers have met 26 times with Rider winning 19 including the last nine in a row before today's game.

The Broncs won 4-0 over the Pioneers in 2013 on Ben Cohen Field.  Rider and Sacred Heart met in Connecticut in 2012 with the Broncs pulling out a 1-0, double overtime victory.  Rider defeated Sacred Heart 4-0 in 2011 in Lawrenceville.  Rider defeated Sacred Heart 2-0 in Connecticut in 2010 and 3-0 on the road in 2009.  In 2008, Rider defeated the Pioneers 3-1 in Lawrenceville and 2-0 in the '08 NEC semifinals at Lock Haven.

Sacred Heart last defeated Rider 3-2 on October 22, 2006.

The highest seeded full member of the MAAC will host the four-team conference playoffs November 7 and 9.  Rider (2-1 MAAC), Monmouth (2-1 MAAC), Quinnipiac (2-2 MAAC) and Siena (0-3 MAAC) are all full members of the conference with Sacred Heart (3-1 MAAC) and Bryant (1-2 MAAC) associate members.  The Broncs have already defeated Monmouth and Quinnipiac head to head this season and hold the tie breaker.

Rider hosts Bryant on October 31 at 4pm before Siena comes to Lawrenceville on November 2 at noon to close out the regular season.

“We are more worried about the next two games and getting our game together to compete,” Hussong added.  “Bryant and Siena are both going to be tough opponents.  If we don't step up to the challenge, we won't be in a favorable situation to compete for the conference title.”

-RU-