College Field Hockey
Rider University 3, La Salle University 2

PHILADELPHIA, PA—The Rider University field hockey team battled back from a two goal, first half deficit to defeat La Salle University 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia.

“We are really proud of the way we came back after spotting La Salle a two-goal lead,” said head coach Lori Hussong.  “It was a total team win with every one pitching in with high energy all over the field.”

Sophomore Jessica Randazzo broke a 2-2 tie, scoring an unassisted goal with 4:05 remaining in the opening half, recording her third goal of the season.

A Second Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honoree as a freshman, Randazzo now has seven goals in her career.

“Jess shot a laser in from the right side,” Hussong remembered.  “She played intense all day long and held us steady in middle of the field.”

Senior Kalyn O'Brien scored her first of the season, an unassisted goal 10:49 into the game to get the Broncs to within 2-1.

O'Brien, who now has 12 career goals, also scored against La Salle last season in Rider's 3-2 victory.

Freshman Tess Coorens took a pass from fellow rookie Daane Koch and hit the back of the cage seven minutes before intermission to tie the score 2-2.  Coorens was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week for all games the opening week of the season and Koch, who is Rider's leading scorer, has earned MAAC Rookie of the Week honors the last three weeks in a row.

Freshman Grace Huff picked up the win, playing the final 59 minutes of the game.

Rider out-shot La Salle 19-4 and the Broncs held a 12-8 penalty corner advantage.

Rider has won 25 of the 34 games (one tie) in the series against the Explorers.

Rider and La Salle met last season with the Broncs opening up a 3-0 lead and holding on for a 3-2 victory on Ben Cohen Field.

Rider and La Salle met during the 2014 season when the Explorers scored a 3-2 double overtime victory after coming back from a two-goal deficit.  In 2012 the Broncs prevailed 3-2 in overtime, also in Philadelphia.  The Broncs defeated La Salle 2-0 in Lawrenceville in 2011.  Rider defeated La Salle 4-1 to open the 2010 season in Philadelphia. 

Rider won a 2-1 in overtime in Lawrenceville in 2009 and scored a 2-1 overtime win in 2008 that went to penalty strokes.  The Explorers defeated the Broncs 2-1 in double overtime in 2007 with Rider winning a pair of 1-0 games in 2006 and 2005.

Rider hosts Saint Francis (Pa.) on Friday at 4:30pm on Ben Cohen Field.

-RU-