College Field Hockey
Drexel University 4, Rider University 2

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Drexel University jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening 18 minutes, defeating Rider University 4-2 in a non-conference game on Sunday afternoon at Buckley Field.

“We had a couple of key defensive errors in the beginning of the game,” said head coach Lori Hussong.  “I think that we played pretty even up besides those plays.  Drexel is a very good team and very skilled and they move the ball nicely on the field.”

Trailing 2-0, junior Kalyn O'Brien (Southampton/Seneca) scored her second of the season, converting a long pass from freshman Christine van Egmond (Heemstede, Netherlands) to cut the Bronc deficit to 2-1, 20 minutes into the game.

Drexel responded with two goals in the opening 4:59 of the second half.

“When a team gets off to a fast start, that's the team that will play more relaxed,” Hussong added.  “We did cut it down to one goal but giving up the goals early in the second half; that took the wind out of our sails and that made it very difficult to climb back from the deficit.”

Junior Carlie Spaeder (Newtown Square, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) cut the Dragon lead to 4-2 with a shot from the left side of the circle for the final score, recording her fifth goal of the season with 14:39 left.

Senior goalie Joelle Prettyman (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) made five saves.

Drexel out-shot the Broncs 15-9 and the Dragons held a 4-1 penalty corner advantage.

Rider has won 11 of the 23 games all-time against Drexel with two games ending in a tie.  Drexel defeated the Broncs 4-0 last season, 2-1 in 2013 and 3-0 in the 2012 season opener.  Rider last defeated Drexel in 1995.

Rider (7-4) travels to Villanova University for a non-conference game on October 11.

-RU-