Box Score Women's Soccer
Rider University 1, Siena College 0
LOUDONVILLE, NY—In the battle of the previous two conference champions, the Broncs won a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at first-place Siena Saturday afternoon.
“This was a really important win,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. “Obviously road wins in the conference are tough. Beating a team that was in first place is great.”
With the win, the Broncs improve to 8-3-2 overall, 5-1 in the MAAC, Rider's best start ever in MAAC play. “We battled really hard and defended well,” Hounsome said. “It was a good character win.”
Rider took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute of play on a goal by junior Ellie Smith (Norwich, England/Norwich City) assisted by senior Caroline Healy (Dublin, Ireland/Alexandra College). “Ellie did well,” Hounsome said. “She and Caroline combined like so many other times, with Ellie playing to Caro, who played it back to Ellie for the nice finish.”
Smith now has seven goals this season and 14 in her career.
Smith was a Second Team All-MAAC selection last year despite missing seven games with injuries and was also named to the MAAC All-Tournament team in 2015.
Siena (6-4-3, 4-1 MAAC), the defending MAAC Champion, out-shot Rider 20-6.
Rider senior goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard (Glastonbury, England/Bridgwater College) made nine saves for the shutout, her sixth of the season and 20th of her career. “The last minute she had a save on a corner,” Hounsome said. “Every time she was called upon she was there, like she has been so many times before.”
Rider defeated Siena 2-0 in Lawrenceville last year. “Siena had not lost to a MAAC team since we beat them last year,” Hounsome said.
Rider is now 5-0-2 vs. Siena in the last seven meetings. The last time Siena beat Rider was 2010 when the Saints went on to become MAAC Champions. “We've done well against them,” Hounsome said. “But they are a really good team that doesn't quit. They proved that last year when they won the MAAC Tournament as the sixth seed.”
Rider was rebounding from a 6-0 loss to Monmouth on Wednesday. “That was the motivating factor today," Hounsome said, "to get back out and play after Wednesday's game.”
The Broncs host Manhattan Wednesday at 7pm. Manhattan ended Rider's season last year in the MAAC semifinals. “We're looking forward to that game,” Hounsome said. “If we can get three points Wednesday night that will lock up a playoff spot.”
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