Box Score Women's College Soccer
Rider University 3, Canisius College 0
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ— There is an old expression that says “It is not how you start but how you finish” that counts.
Well, a good start doesn't hurt, either.
For the first time in 13 years, the Rider University women's soccer team is 2-0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
“We've had two home games (vs. MAAC teams) and we are 2-0,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. “We're very happy with that. You couldn't ask for more than six points (three points for a MAAC win) in two games."
Rider junior Ellie Smith (Norwich, England/Norwich City) scored two goals and senior Caroline Healy (Dublin, Ireland/Alexandra College) had two assists to lead the Broncs to a MAAC victory over Canisius Saturday afternoon.
“Smithy played well,” Hounsome said. “She looked very good in warm-ups, full of energy. We had a week to prepare for this game and we played like it.”
Rider (5-2-2, 2-0 MAAC) took a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick with 12 minutes left in the first half. Senior defender Heather Maierle (Wantagh, N.Y./Friends Academy) made the PK, her second in as many tries this year.
The Broncs went up 2-0 when Smith took a forward pass from Healy and gave Rider the insurance goal just two minutes into the second half. “Caroline played it to me and I just put it over the 'keeper,” said Smith, who now has 13 goals and 13 assists for 39 points in 41 career games. “It was important to go up 2-0. Last game we had a 1-0 lead and let them (Quinnipiac) back in it.”
Smith took another pass from Healy after junior Michelle Iacono (Merrick, N.Y./Calhoun) put the ball into the box and Smith scored her MAAC-high sixth goal of the season.
Rider out-shot Canisius (3-5, 1-1 MAAC) 15-5, including 8-1 in the second half.
Rider senior goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard (Glastonbury, England/Bridgwater College) needed to make just three saves for the shutout, her third of the season and the 17th of her career.
“Beth had one big save to make in the first half,” Hounsome said. “Defensively we were really good today. A very good defensive performance today as well as a good offensive performance.”
The MAAC Defensive Player of the Week three times this year and nine times in her career, Howard ranks 18th in the nation in saves and 32nd in save percentage. Howard ranks first in the MAAC in save percentage, second in goals against average and third in total saves.
The last time Rider began 2-0 in the MAAC was 2003 when Rider began 3-0 in MAAC play and finished 6-3 in conference play. “It's brilliant to be 2-0,” Smith said. “We are on our way to doing some very good things.”
The Broncs lost 2-0 at Canisius last year. The last time Canisius came to Lawrenceville the Broncs won 5-0. The Golden Griffins hold an 11-10-1 advantage in the series. “We lost to them last year so it was nice to get that win today,” Hounsome said.
Rider plays a MAAC game at Saint Peter's Wednesday afternoon. “Saint Peter's will be tricky with the nature of their field,” Hounsome said. “Two years ago we won up there in overtime on an own goal.”
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