Loretto, PA – The Rider University field hockey team defeated Saint Francis (Pa.) on the road, 2-1, in non-conference action on Wednesday afternoon at Degol Field.

The Broncs (4-4) took down the Red Flash (5-4) for the second straight season.  

Rider wasted little time getting on the board as junior Jessica Randazzo (Media, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) scored an unassisted goal just 38 seconds into the game. Randazzo's strike was her third of the season and came off a pass from senior tri-captain Shannon Hughes (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield). The goal was the only shot during the first half to find the back of the cage.  

The Broncs kept Saint Francis scoreless for the first half as the guests took a 1-0 edge into halftime.   

With over 10 minutes left in regulation, sophomore Alice Otterson (Stratford, New Zealand/New Plymouth) gave the Broncs some insurance with her second goal in as many games. Otterson's fourth career goal was assisted by senior Lauren Bock (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Boro).

Freshman Lena Vandam (Brasschaat, Belgium) made nine saves for Rider as she picked up her fourth career victory.

Notes & Quotes
"Everyone dug deep today to help us to success," Rider Head Coach Lori Hussong said. "We had great defensive efforts from Alison Amen, Melissa Cunningham and Jessica Randazzo. Lena was tremendous in goal for us. This was a much better effort that we can build upon. "

- Freshman Kaitlyn Flemming was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week on Tuesday afternoon as announced by the league office.
- Rider is 2-4 in true road games in 2017.
- Rider has now played seven of its first eight games this year away from home.
- The Broncs are 16-2 all-time versus Saint Francis (Pa.) and have beaten the Red Flash in each of the last two seasons.
- St. Francis held an 18-14 advantage in shots.
- The Broncs took five penalty corners compared to 10 for the Red Flash.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Otterson's goal was her second of the season and her second in as many games. She has now mached her goal output from last season. Otterson now has points in three straight games thanks to an assist against Towson and a goal last time out versus Hofstra.
- Hughes had an assist for the third game in a row. She leads the team with five assists this season and she is third on the squad with seven points.
- Rider is outscoring opponents, 11-6, in the second half this season.
- The Broncs are 1-3 in games decided by one goal in 2017. Today's win was their first of the season.

Up Next
Rider returns to action on Friday, September 29, with a road Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) contest against Bryant in the Ocean State that is slated to begin at 4:00 pm. The Broncs are 8-1 all-time versus the Bulldogs and has won each of the last three meetings between the two. To follow live stats and video for the game visit the field hockey schedule page on GoBroncs.com.