Box Score College Field Hockey
Cornell University 3, Rider University 1
ITHACA, NY—The Broncs took a break from Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Sunday to visit Cornell of the Ivy League.
“We actually played a good game,” said Rider head coach Lori Hussong. “We just couldn't score in the second half. Cornell is very good.”
Cornell (8-7) tied the game at 1-1 1:22 into the second half and took a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute of play. The Big Red scored in the final minute of play off of penalty corner for the final score. “We made two bad mistakes in the second half and they both cost us,” Hussong said. “Other than that we were happy with the way we played. We had a lot of hustle and determination.”
Senior Carlota Alsina (Barcelona, Spain) scored in the 24th minute on a penalty corner with an assist from senior Carlie Spaeder (Newtown Square, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) to give Rider (9-8) a 1-0 lead.
Cornell out-shot Rider 12-8. “We knew coming in they would be very good,” Hussong said. “They are very skilled."
Rider freshman goalkeeper Emily Gilligan (West Deptford) made two saves.
Rider and Cornell had not met in 20 years, with Cornell winning two of the three meetings that took place from 1995-97.
“Anytime you play one of the Ivy League teams it is great competition,” Hussong said, “and that is what we wanted going into our regular season finale and hopefully then playoffs.”
Rider plays the regular season finale Friday night, hosting Siena in a 7pm MAAC game. Rider's graduating seniors will be honored before the game. “Every year you have to say goodbye to players you've known for four years,” Hussong said. “This group hasn't experienced what so many of our other seniors did, a championship, so we want to send them off on a good note Friday and hopefully send them off with a bang in the playoffs.”
The Broncs enter that game in third place (3-2). The top four teams advance to the MAAC Championship Tournament at Monmouth November 4, 6. Rider has qualified for the conference playoffs the last 16 consecutive years.
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