College Field Hockey
La Salle University 3, Rider University 2 (2 o.t.)

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—The Rider University field hockey team gave up a two goal lead with just under 12 minutes remaining and the La Salle University Explorers scored with 25 seconds left in double overtime, sending the Broncs to a 3-2 loss on Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia.

Olivia Leaman dribbled in off a corner play and scored at the 99:35 mark for La Salle (2-3).

“We had great effort on the field but just didn't cash in on our chances to score,” said head coach Lori Hussong.  “We were unable to hold lead.  When things get tough, we need to respond and be tougher.  We need to look at ourselves individually and see if we truly are giving our best effort at critical moments in the game.”

Rider (2-3) opened the scoring 18:45 into the game when freshman Allison Baligian (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) chipped in a shot past the Explorer goalie who came out of the cage during a scramble.  Freshman Shannon Hughes (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) picked up her first assist of the season.  For Baligian, it was her second goal of the year, also scoring in Rider's 3-1 win at Appalachian State.

The Broncs took a 2-0 lead 9:24 into the second half when after a penalty corner, sophomore Carlie Spaeder (Newtown Square, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) tipped in a shot by sophomore Carlota Alsina (Barcelona, Spain/Institut Matadepera) who received a pass from senior Stacey Dileo (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Warde).  For Spaeder it was her second goal, having also scored in Rider's win at Appalachian State and for Alsina and Dileo it was their first assists of the season.

“We had great effort, especially from the seniors and it is a shame that we couldn't get the result that they deserved,” Hussong added.

La Salle converted a scramble in front of Bronc junior goalie Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) with the Explorers using a chip shot to get to within a goal with 11:34 left in regulation.

La Salle scored from the top of the circle, striking a ball to the left side of the cage with 7:28 left in the second half to tie the game 2-2.

Prettyman had 12 saves as Rider out-shot the Explorers 29-23.

“We had a ton of chances,” Hussong said.  “We just didn't convert and put the ball in the cage.  We created a lot of two on one chances and that's a positive.  We just now have to finish them.  The effort level was there.  We just have to believe that we can get the job done.”

La Salle held an 11-9 penalty corner advantage.

Rider and La Salle last met on September 15, 2012 when the Broncs prevailed 3-2 in overtime in Philadelphia.  The Broncs defeated La Salle 2-0 at Ben Cohen Field in Lawrenceville in 2011.  Rider defeated La Salle 4-1 to open the 2010 season in Philadelphia.  Rider has won 23 of the 32 games (one tie) in the series against the Explorers including a 2-1 overtime win in Lawrenceville in 2009 and a 2-1 overtime win in 2008 that went to penalty strokes.  The Explorers defeated the Broncs 2-1 in double overtime in 2007 with Rider winning a pair of 1-0 games in 2006 and 2005.

Hussong currently has 199 wins in 286 games (15 seasons) at Rider.

Rider travels back to Philadelphia to face Saint Joseph's at 1pm on Sunday.

“We definitely have to learn from this,” Hussong added.  “We are at a critical stage where we need to dig down deep and see what we are made of.  Sunday is going to be a tough game.”

-RU-