College Field Hockey-MAAC Semifinals
Rider University 3, Quinnipiac University 1

WEST LONG BRANCH—For the 12th time in 15 seasons under head coach Lori Hussong, the Rider University field hockey has advanced to a conference championship game as the Broncs defeated Quinnipiac University 3-1 on Friday morning, in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference semifinals at Monmouth's So Sweet A Cat Field.

“I was really proud of the effort,” said Hussong.  “We had a fighting spirit and got the job done.”

For Rider (11-8), the number two seed, junior goalie Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) made nine saves, several from point blank range as third seeded Quinnipiac out-shot Rider 23-13, 14-4 in the second half.  Prettyman leads the MAAC in goals against average and was named the MAAC Co-Goalie of the Year and an All-MAAC First Team honoree on Thursday.

“It was a really good game, it was tough,” said Prettyman who recorded her 10th win of the season.  “We played tough and came out early with the lead.  We ended up with the win, it was great.”

Bronc freshman Kesheal Henderson (Heath, Mass./Mohawk Regional) picked the perfect time for her first career goal, dribbling in and shooting a low line drive past the Bobcat goalie, just 1:59 into the game to give Rider a 1-0 lead.

Just over four minutes later, 6:01 into the game, freshman Allison Baligian (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season, giving Rider a 2-0 lead and forcing a Bobcat timeout.  Senior Laura McCormick (West Windsor/WW-P South) picked up her team-leading sixth assist on the play.

“The two early goals were huge,” Hussong said.  “Any time you can go up by two and that early, it sets the tone.  Quinnipiac kept fighting and it is a credit to our players and our defense that came up with several big plays.”

“Getting the early lead made me and defense play relaxed,” Prettyman said.

The Broncs led by two at the half with each team compiling nine shots in the opening 35 minutes.

Quinnipiac (8-11) kept the pressure on the Bronc defense in the second half, finally solving Prettyman with 5:24 left in the contest on a penalty corner.

Quinnipiac held a 15-8 penalty corner advantage, including 11-4 in the final 35 minutes.

Rider answered right back when junior Melyssa Alonso (Toms River/Toms River HS North) pushed home a scramble in front off an assist from senior Dezarae Fillmyer (Roebling/Florence) with 2:49 left in the game for the final score.

“I had confidence that the offense would get the goal right back and also faith in the defense that we wouldn't let up another goal,” Prettyman added about the last five minutes of the game.

Today was the 300th game in the career of Hussong who has led Rider to the four-team conference playoffs in all 15 seasons at Rider.

Quinnipiac and Rider met on October 24 during the regular season in Hamden, Connecticut when the Broncs battled back from a 1-0 deficit to force overtime with Alonso scoring the game-winner 5:41 into the extra session.

Rider and Quinnipiac have met 29 times with the Broncs winning for the 18th time, including the last four in a row. 

The Broncs and Bobcats have now met seven times in either the MAAC or Northeast Conference playoffs with Rider winning for the fifth time.  The teams met in the NEC semifinals in 2012 with Rider winning 4-1.  The Broncs were also victorious in the 2010 NEC semifinals over Quinnipiac, scoring a 4-2 victory.

Quinnipiac defeated Rider in the NEC Title game in 2001 and 2003.  Rider won over the Bobcats in the NEC Title game in 2000 and 2002.

The Broncs will face top seed Monmouth, a 2-1 winner over number four seed Sacred Heart University on Sunday at 11am in West Long Branch.

“I'm pumped and excited about the championship on Sunday,” Prettyman said.  “I want to bring home our first MAAC Title.”

Rider defeated the Hawks on Ben Cohen Field 1-0 on October 17 in the first conference game of the season with Alonso scoring the only goal, just 8:40 into the game and Prettyman recording the shutout.

“We are going to have to have a strong game again from the offense and defense,” Hussong said about Sunday.  “We are going to try to make our alumni proud and continue the tradition that we have established.”

Hussong has led Rider to six conference championships, all in the NEC with 2014 the second season that the MAAC has sponsored field hockey.

-RU-