Box Score Women's College Soccer
Saint Joseph's University 3, Rider University 0
PHILADELPHIA, PA— St. Joseph is the patron saint of workers. On this Labor Day weekend, we honor the American labor movement, when hard work is all you can ask of someone.
“We played hard and the team is working really hard,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. “For a good period of the second half we controlled play. It was probably our best game of the season.”
With half of the starting lineup still on the sidelines with various injuries, the Broncs lost to the 10th ranked team in the Region Sunday afternoon.
“It is very tough, obviously, to play with only 14 players, especially when you are missing so many starters,” Hounsome said. “It is a challenge, but the players who are playing are getting match fit, and that could be an advantage once we get into conference play.”
St. Joseph's (3-1) scored 10 minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead and took that lead into the locker room at halftime. The second half the Broncs had their first two shots on goal in the first five minutes. “The first 20 minutes or so of the second half we were going at them,” Hounsome said. “We had some good chances. When we were pushing forward they scored.”
The Hawks scored twice in a six-minute span to take a 3-0 lead with nine minutes left to play. “Once they got the second goal the wind went out of the sails,” Hounsome said.
St. Joseph's out-shot Rider 19-6, including 10-2 in shots on goal.
Rider junior Caroline Healy (Dublin, Ireland/Alexandra College) had four of Rider's shots and was, literally, all over the field. “Caroline started at forward and we moved her to wide midfield and later played fullback,” Hounsome said. “When you have players who are injured you need people to step up and play positions they have never played before. Caroline always gives 100 percent in everything she does. You know you are going to get a great effort from her, no matter what position she is playing.”
Rider junior goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard (Glastonbury, England/Bridgwater College) made seven saves.
Rider (1-3) and St. Joseph's have only met twice before, in 2006 and 2007, with the Broncs winning both contests.
Rider plays at home for the first time this season, hosting Delaware State Wednesday at 7pm on the Ben Cohen Field. “We won't have to sit on a bus, so that will be an advantage,” Hounsome said.
On Labor Day weekend, the Broncs worked hard. When you are shorthanded, sometimes that is all you can ask. “They are playing hard, they are working really hard,” Hounsome said. “It was in improvement today. We were much better defensively, we were much better in terms of headers and 50-50 balls. We were better in creating more chances. That was all positive.”
St. Joseph the Worker would have been proud of the effort.
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