College Field Hockey

Siena College 2, Rider University 0

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ—In what has to be considered the biggest upset in the history of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference field hockey, the winless Siena Saints defeated the first place Rider Broncs in the regular season finale Sunday afternoon at Rider.

“Anytime you play against a team that has not won all year, when they are getting their last chance to win, and they stay in the game with you, the longer they stay in it the more intense they get,” said Rider head coach Lori Hussong.

A victory and Rider would have been the MAAC regular season champion and the Broncs would have hosted the four-team MAAC Tournament.

“I think it was a combination of Siena playing well and we played poorly,” Hussong said.  “We just didn't show up today. Our passing was off, we had no offensive punch in the circle, and when you play like that, this is what happens.”

Rider (10-8, 3-2 MAAC) had won five consecutive regular season titles and eight in the last 14 years. The Broncs won four straight Northeast Conference regular season titles before the MAAC began sponsoring field hockey last year.

Siena (1-15, 1-4 MAAC) broke a scoreless tie after an apparent Rider goal was disallowed and the Saints rushed down the field with the ball. A shot by Katherine Bowie was tipped in by Megan Bohse for the only goal the Saints would need.

With Rider pushing everyone forward, the Saints scored again with eight minutes remaining when a loose ball was picked up in the goal mouth.

Rider out-shot Siena 18-4, and the Broncs had 10 penalty corners compared to zero for Siena.

“We are very disappointed,” Hussong said.

Rider junior goalie Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) made one save.

It was Senior Day and three graduating seniors, Stacey Dileo, Dezarae Fillmyer and Laura McCormick were honored in a pregame ceremony.  The trio led Rider to 57 wins and two NCAA Tournaments (so far) in their four years.

Rider leads the all-time series with Siena 24-4, having won the last 14 meetings. The last time Siena beat Rider was during the 2001 season.

Rider will now compete in the four-team MAAC Championship Tournament November 7-9. The official pairings will be announced by the MAAC on Monday.

“Today will serve as a wake-up call,” Hussong said.  “We are happy we are in the playoffs, but really disappointed in what happened today.”

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