College Field Hockey
Lock Haven University 2, Rider University 1 / 2 ot

LOCK HAVEN, Pa.—The Lady Eagles of Lock Haven took advantage of a penalty stroke 1:55 into the second overtime to break a 1-1 tie and defeat Rider University in a non-conference field hockey game Friday evening.

“I was happy that we hustled, played hard and hung in there with them,” head coach Lori Hussong said.  “The game was a really good game.  It was a tough call on the penalty stroke but we had our chances to score in overtime and didn't cash in on them.  A penalty corner opportunity, especially in overtime should be lights out.”

Trailing 1-0, freshman Jessica Randazzo (Media, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) scored her second goal of the season, crossing inside the circle and putting the ball just inside the far post, off a pass from sophomore Allison Baligian (Flemington/Hunterdon Central), five minutes into the second half for the only Bronc goal of the evening.

“The goal by Jessica was a patient play,” said Hussong.  “She was able to cash in on it and that was good to see.  Being down a goal at the half and coming back on the road to tie the game, that's good for our confidence.”

Baligian is Rider's leading scorer with 17 points, including eight goals and tonight's assist.

Lock Haven (10-2) opened the scoring 23 minutes into the game after a long pass was deflected past senior goalie Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) with the Broncs playing a player down due to a two-minute green card penalty.

Lock Haven out-shot Rider (7-3) 19-7 with Prettyman making eight saves.

“This was the best game of Joelle's season,” Hussong said.  “She was alive, aggressive and made some really good saves for us.”

The Lady Eagles held a 9-8 penalty corner advantage.

Rider and Lock Haven are former Northeast Conference rivals.   The Lady Eagles, who now play in the Atlantic 10, lead the all-time series 10-4.  The teams met last season with Rider winning 2-1 on a game-winner by Baligian.  LHU defeated Rider 1-0 in 2013.  In 2006 Lock Haven beat Rider in the NEC semifinals. In 2007 and 2008 Lock Haven defeated Rider in the NEC Title Game.

Rider travels to Drexel University on Sunday.

“We expect the same type of game on Sunday,” Hussong added.  “That's why we scheduled these games back to back and so close to the start of the conference season.  You want to see the best competition that you can.  It's going to be a close game and we will try to come out with a better result.”

-RU-