Box Score College Field Hockey
Fairfield University 3, Rider University 1
FAIRFIELD, CT—“Present opportunities are not to be neglected; they rarely visit us twice,” said 18th century French philosopher Voltaire.
Opportunities have visited the Rider University field hockey team many more times than twice so far this season, but the Broncs have not been able to take advantage of them
Rider has out-shot its opponents 266 to 81 this year, but is 6-6 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.
In the first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game of the season, the Broncs dominated play but lost at Fairfield Friday afternoon. “We knew going in that this was a 50-50 game,” said Rider head coach Lori Hussong. “Fairfield is a much better team than their record indicates and they played beautifully today. Their passing game was on today.”
Rider (6-6, 0-1 MAAC) out-shot Fairfield (2-10, 1-0 MAAC) 22-6, including 15-5 in shots on goal. “They scored on their chances,” Hussong said. “They had five shots and three went in. We had 22 on them and only one went in.”
Rider had seven penalty corners to just two for the Stags. “That has been the story of our season so far,” Hussong said. “We've out-shot almost every team we've played but have come out on the losing end of it. That is frustrating. The bottom line is that it doesn't matter how many shots you have, you have to put the ball in the net.”
Rider freshman Daane Koch (The Netherlands) scored her MAAC-leading 10th goal of the season to cut the lead to 3-1. “Daane had a couple of good shots on and their goalkeeper played very well in stopping her. But we can't just rely on Daane. We need others to help out.”
Koch, who had eight of Rider's shots and five of the shots on goal, has earned MAAC Rookie of the Week honors three times and has also earned MAAC Offensive Player of the Week.
The Stags took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute of play and took a 2-0 lead in the eighth minute.
Freshman goalkeeper Emily Gilligan (West Deptford) came into the game when Rider trailed 2-0 and made two saves. “Emily came in and played very well,” Hussong said. “The goal she gave up was a true goal.”
Fairfield took a 3-0 lead in the eighth minute of the second half on a rebound after a save by Gilligan.
Rider defeated Fairfield 5-4 last year in Lawrenceville. The Broncs hold a 15-5 advantage in the series.
Rider hosts Bryant Sunday at 12 noon on Field Hockey Alumni Day. “That is always a good day,” Hussong said. “We're hoping that the support from our alums will help us do a better job out on the field. We know we have to start winning the conference games to qualify for the playoffs. Every game is precious. We have to do a better job, to generate more of an attack.”
To take advantage of the opportunities present.
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