College Field Hockey
Rider University 3, Appalachian State University 1

BOONE, N.C.—Led by goals from three different players, the Rider University field hockey team snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-1 win at Appalachian State on Sunday afternoon.

“We changed up the lineup and put some of the players in different positions on the field,” said head coach Lori Hussong who won for the 199th time in 15 seasons at Rider.  “We played a different system and we were able to sustain our attack.”

Freshman Allison Baligian (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) broke a scoreless tie 16:06 into the game, knocking home a rebound to give Rider (2-2) a one-goal lead.  This was Rider's first goal of the season that didn't come on a penalty stroke.

The Broncs led 1-0 at intermission.

ASU tied the game 1-1 with 28 minutes left on a shot into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Rider took a 2-1 lead just over three minutes later when sophomore Carlie Spaeder (Newtown Square, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) scored an unassisted goal.

The Broncs added an insurance goal when sophomore Melissa Cunningham (Oaklyn, N.J./Collingswood) pushed home a pass from senior Dezarae Fillmyer (Florence/Roebling) with 12 minutes left for the final score.

“Melissa had a tremendous game,” Hussong said.  “She is recovering from an ACL injury and is slowly but surely working her way back.  We started her today and she responded.  She is going to be valuable for us, the healthier she gets.”

Fillmyer has hit the scoring sheet in all four games this season and leads the Broncs with nine points (4g, 1a).

Junior goalie Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) came off the bench and played the final 27 minutes for the win.  Freshman Hannah Isaacs (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) started and played 43 minutes without having to make a save.

“We wanted to give Hannah some game experience,” Hussong said about starting the rookie goalie.

Rider out-shot the Mountaineers 16-8 and each team had six penalty corners.

“We had good opportunities,” Hussong added.  “We also moved senior Stacey Dileo up to the midfield and that keyed the attack as well.  She gave us energy and fight in the middle of the field.”

Dileo logged 64 minutes of playing time in the game.

The Broncs are 7-0 all-time against the Mountaineers. 

Rider and ASU last met in 2013 when the Broncs won 6-2 over the Mountaineers in a game hosted by James Madison.  Rider won 7-1 in 2011 in a game also hosted by James Madison.  Rider won against ASU 6-0 in 2009 in Boone, North Carolina, 3-2 in 2008 (at West Chester) and 4-3 in overtime in 2007 in Farmville, Virginia.  In 2004, the Broncs defeated ASU 2-0 in Richmond, Virginia.

Rider travels to La Salle September 13.

“Every game is going to be tough,” Hussong added.  “We are hoping by the start of conference play that we will be a well-oiled machine.”

-RU-