College Field Hockey
Rider University 5, Fairfield University 4
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game

LAWRENCEVILLE—Freshman Jessica Randazzo (Media, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) broke a 4-4 tie with 2:58 remaining in the game, converting a loose ball in the circle off a rebound to give the Rider University field hockey team a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win on Friday night on Ben Cohen Field.

For Randazzo, it was her third goal of the season.

“This was a really, really good game,” said head coach Lori Hussong.  “Even being up three goals, we knew Fairfield was going to fight back.  They made some good adjustments in the second half and came on strong.  We are pleased and proud that we came back and won the game after they tied us.”

Rider (9-4, 1-0 MAAC) held a 4-1 lead at the half before Fairfield (4-7, 0-2 MAAC) banged home three goals in an 11 minute span to tie the game 4-4.

“I wasn't really trying to score there,” Randazzo said about the winning goal.  “I was just trying to get it back on goal and keep it in the circle and it went in.  I was trying to find one of the forwards and got lucky it hit the backboard.”

Junior Carlie Spaeder (Newtown Square, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) opened the scoring just 6:16 into the game, tipping in a pass from former high school teammate Randazzo. 

“I'm proud of Jessica,” Spaeder said.  “I love having her as a teammate and I love how she is doing.  Her getting the game-winner is awesome.”

“Playing in this atmosphere is great as a freshman,” said Randazzo.  “I'm proud of my teammates.  We fell short a couple of times but never gave up.  Playing with Carlie, we know where will be on the field and it's nice to bring that Cardinal O'Hara spark to Rider.”

“Carlie is giving us great leadership and is cashing in on her opportunities,” Hussong added.

After Fairfield (4-7, 0-2 MAAC) tied the game on a corner play in the ninth minute, junior Carlota Alsina (Barcelona, Spain/Institut Matadepera) took a pass from sophomore Melissa Cunningham (Oaklyn/Collingswood) and scored her fourth of the season, converting a penalty corner as the Broncs regained the lead nine minutes before the half.

Just three minutes later, sophomore Allison Baligian (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) scored on a penalty stroke to give Rider a two-goal lead and 1:38 before intermission, Spaeder hit the back of the cage for the second time after taking a long dribble half the length of the field.

“I think in the first 35 minutes, we played our best field hockey of the season,” said Hussong.

The reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Week, Spaeder now has five goals in her last two games.

“Conference play is really tough as you could see tonight,” Spaeder said.  “As a team, we really came together.”

Sophomore goalie Hannah Isaachs (Piscataway) played the final 16 minutes and picked up her second win of the season, in relief of senior Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's).  Prettyman made one save.

Fairfield goalie Caitlin Bennett made 10 saves.

Rider held a 22-10 advantage in shots and the Broncs had an 11-5 advantage on penalty corners.

Over 300 fans were in attendance, in support of the annual Play 4 The Cure effort to raise awareness and donations for the Susan G. Koman Foundation. 

“It was special night for us,” Hussong said.  “This is the first season without 13-year mentor Cathy Carter-Romero.  “We dedicate this game to her and will continue to do that each season.  Tonight, with Cathy's help, we somehow found a way to get it done.”  Romero was Rider's Director of Publications before passing away this January.

Rider improved to 4-0 on Ben Cohen Field this season. 

Tonight was the 19th meeting all-time with Rider holding a 15-4 series lead.  The teams last met in 2007 when the Broncs won 2-0.  Rider won 3-2 at Fairfield in 2006 in a Northeast Conference game and the Broncs prevailed 3-0 in an NEC game in 2005.

Rider travels to Monmouth University on Sunday.

-RU-