College Field Hockey

Rider University 2, Lock Haven University 1

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ—In Greek mythology, Nemesis was the spirit of divine retribution, the goddess of revenge.

The Rider Broncs defeated their old nemesis Lock Haven Sunday afternoon. “Any time we play Lock Haven we know it is going to be a really hard game for us,” said Rider head coach Lori Hussong.  “We know we have to play our best.”

Rider (5-5) freshman Allison Baligian (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) took a pass from senior Laura McCormick (West Windsor/WW-P South) and scored the game-winner with 20 minutes left to play.

“We need people to score,” Hussong said. “Allison always finds herself in the right place at the right time and she's placing the ball in. She's being very productive.”

“I saw Laura coming down the side and I just had my stick down and she sent a beautiful pass,” said Baligian, who now has a team-high five goals on the season. “Coach said we hadn't beaten Lock Haven in a few years so everyone was pumped. The energy was amazing.”

“It was a beautiful play,” Hussong said.  “It was a hustle play and a nice little pass over from Laura. It was a great feed from Laura and it turned into one of those picture-perfect goals.”

McCormick now has two goals and two assists in her last four games.

Rider took a 1-0 lead with nine minutes left in the first half on a goal by sophomore Carlie Spaeder (Newtown Square, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara). “Carlie has been getting better as the season has been going on,” Hussong said.  “Every time she gets the ball she knows she can be an offensive threat for us.”

Spaeder gathered a rebound after a shot by sophomore Carlota Alsina (Barcelona, Spain) was blocked.

Lock Haven (7-5) tied the score at 1-1 just 1:34 into the second half. “We sat back a little bit and let them take it to us,” Hussong said of the start of the second half.  “That's something we have to work on.”

Both teams had just six shots in the balanced game. The Lady Eagles had nine penalty corners to Rider's seven. “Lock Haven is very good,” Hussong said.

Rider junior goalie Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) made two saves. “Joelle played outstanding today,” Hussong said.

Rider and Lock Haven are former Northeast Conference rivals.   The Lady Eagles, who now play in the Atlantic 10, lead the all-time series 9-4.  LHU defeated Rider 1-0 last year. The last time Rider beat Lock Haven was during the 2011 season.

In 2006 Lock Haven beat Rider in the NEC semifinals. In 2007 and 2008 Lock Haven defeated Rider in the NEC Title Game.  On Sunday, Rider was able to get its revenge over its old nemesis.

Rider hosts Colgate Friday. “Colgate is 3-0 in the Patriot League,” Hussong said, “and we know any time they step on the field with us it is going to be a fight.”

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