South Orange, NJ – The Rider University women's swimming and diving team began the 2017-18 season with a 173-99 loss to host Seton Hall in a dual meet on Saturday afternoon at the Arthur E. Imperatore Natatorium.

The Broncs fell to the Pirates for the second straight year after SHU topped Rider in Lawrenceville in January of last season.

Rider got a strong showing in the 100 fly as the top-four finishers were all Broncs. Senior Tara Maniace (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) won the event with a time of 1:02.08. Maniace was followed by Lauren Kerner (Cherry Hilly, NJ/Cherry Hill High School East), Bailey Vanderhoof (Lords Valley, PA/Wallenpaupack Area) and Victoria Evans (Egg Harbor, NJ/Egg Harbor Township).

The Broncs had a photo finish in the 200 individual medley as Taylor Stalnaker (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) and Hannah Bayer (Forest Hill, MD/Bel Air) tied for first as both finished with a time of 2:20.88.

In the 1M diving event, Rider got solid performances from both junior Breanne Hatter (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown HS South) and sophomore Meg Tomayko (Murfreesboro,TN/Siegel). Hatter was second with a total of 276.37 and Tomayko was third with 226.80.

Notes & Quotes
"This was a difficult first test for our women and we knew it going into the day. We were excited to introduce the freshmen women to their first college meet, and they competed with confidence. Our divers were great and proved they'll be a force in the MAAC." Rider Head Coach Steve Fletcher

- The Broncs were coming off back-to-back dual meet wins to end the 2016-17 campaign.
- Rider won a pair of events.
- The Broncs finished third in the 200 medley relay.
- Maniace was also second in the 100 breast and fourth in the 100 breast.
- Maeve Lersch finished second in the 100 back, third in the 50 free and third in the 100 free.
- Olivia Iswalt came in fourth in the 50 free.

Up Next
Rider returns to the pool next Saturday, October 14, for a dual meet versus Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Siena in Albany.