Women's College Soccer

Rider University 1, Bucknell University 1 (2OT)

LEWISBURG, PA—They say a tie is like kissing your sibling. On Sunday, the Broncs kissed some Bison, some very talented Bison.

Rider and undefeated Bucknell tied on Sunday. “It was a good game against a 4-0 team,” said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. “It was a character performance to make this long bus ride and tie a very talented team. To get a draw and have a few really good chances to win in what is our toughest road game of the non-conference schedule is really important.”

Rider (2-2-1) junior Michelle Iacono (Merrick, N.Y./Calhoun) scored on assists from junior Ellie Smith (Norwich, England/Norwich City) and freshman Valeria Pascuet (Bunuel Navarra, Spain/San Fermin Ikastola) at the 15 minute mark to give Rider a 1-0 lead.

Iacono now has nine goals and nine assists (27 points) in 42 career games.

Pascuet now has four points in her first five Rider games. Smith now has nine points in five games this seaosn and 34 career points in 37games.

Bucknell (4-0-1) tied the score at 1-1 3:48 into the second half.

Bucknell out-shot Rider 27-13, including 23-9 during regulation, 9-2 in shots on goal. “I felt we had the stronger of the opportunities in the overtime,” Hounsome said.

Rider senior goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard (Glastonbury, England/Bridgwater College) made nine saves. “We struggled defensively so there were a lot of things coming through,” Hounsome said.  “But as always she made some big saves. She was good on corners and crosses to keep them out. Beth and the back four did a good job against a good attacking team with superfast athletes.”

Howard was an All-Region selection last year and a two-time All-MAAC goalie.

The Bison are off to their best start in 15 years and are coming off of a 2-1 victory at Syracuse. Bucknell began the season with a 3-1 win over Monmouth, a team many feel is the best team in the MAAC.

The last time Rider traveled to Lewisburg Bucknell won 3-0 in the 2013 season opener. Rider and Bucknell did not meet last year. In 2014 Rider defeated the Bison 1-0 in overtime in Lawrenceville on a Golden Goal by Iacono, who also broke her wrist in that game. “We were happy on both fronts today, she scored and didn't get hurt,” Hounsome said.

Rider senior Caroline Healy (Dublin, Ireland/Alexandra College) had five of Rider's shots, two on goal.  “Caro is just a very good player,” Hounsome said.  “She had a free kick that was going into the top corner but their goalie made a great save.”

Rider returns home to host NJIT Thursday afternoon. “NJIT is unbeaten as well, having defeated a couple of MAAC teams,” Hounsome said.  “We are certainly not hiding from anyone with this non-conference schedule.”

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