Box Score Women's College Soccer
Rider University 1, Niagara University 0
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY— Former 'Hootie and the Blowfish' front man and current country music performer Darius Rucker sings “This could be one of those memories we wanna hold on to, the one we can't forget. What if this was that moment, that chance we're taking? History in the makin'.”
The Rider University women's soccer team once again made history on Saturday when it defeated Niagara in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game.
Rider made history in 2015 when the Broncs won their first-ever MAAC Title and advanced to the NCAA tournament.
And now, for the first time ever, the Broncs are 4-0 in MAAC play.
“That's brilliant,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. “This group of players, especially the seniors, have another thing to add to their list of accomplishments, of what they've done during their careers here. Four and oh is fantastic.”
It was also historic in the fact that Rider has not had much success at Niagara.
“This is a hard place to come and play. We've never won up here since I have been coaching,” said Hounsome, now in his ninth year at Rider.
Rider (7-2-2, 4-0 MAAC) junior Michelle Iacono (Merrick, N.Y./Calhoun) scored in the 70th minute of play on assists from freshman Valeria Pascuet (Bunuel Navarra, Spain/San Fermin Ikastola) and junior Ellie Smith (Norwich, England/Norwich City).
“It was a nice goal,” Hounsome said. “A little combination play. Ellie played it through to her. It was an important goal.”
It was Iacono's second goal of the season and the 10th of her career.
Smith entered the game second in the MAAC in points.
Niagara (2-7-1, 1-3 MAAC) out-shot Rider 15-9, including 9-5 in the scoreless first half. “We didn't play great in the first half,” Hounsome said. “In the second half we had some good chances, hit a crossbar.”
Rider senior Bethany-May Howard (Glastonbury, England/Bridgwater College) made six saves for the shutout, her fifth of the season and the Rider-record 19th of her career. “Beth made some solid saves,” Hounsome said, “one really good save.”
Howard leads the MAAC in save percentage and ranks second in goals against average.
Rider also defeated Niagara 1-0 last year in Lawrenceville. “One to nil is my favorite result,” Hounsome said. “It is stressful, but it is a character result. You try to defend hard, the other team doesn't quit with just a one goal difference. I enjoy seeing the one-nil result, but I enjoy it more after the game than during.”
The last time the Broncs traveled to Niagara Rider lost 2-1. Niagara holds an 11-8-1 advantage in the series.
Rider hosts Monmouth Wednesday evening. “Any time we're playing Monmouth there is a rivalry there,” Hounsome said. “Both teams will be unbeaten going into Wednesday night so it is going to be exciting. As long as we can win the rest we'll be regular season champions.”
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