PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rider University field hockey team defeated host Bryant, 3-1, on Friday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action at Lennon Family Field.

The Broncs (10-5, 3-1 MAAC) earned their seventh straight road win, while the Bulldogs (2-14, 0-4 MAAC) dropped their eighth contest in a row. With the two-goal victory, Rider has assured itself a winning record in conference play and a spot in the MAAC Tournament.

Three different Broncs scored goals on Friday evening and sophomore goalkeeper Lena Vandam (Brasschaat, Belgium) made a two saves to help Rider score their sixth victory in a row.

Sophomore forward Marion Waterkeyn (Antwerp, Belgium/OLVE) opened the scoring for the guests just over six minutes into play. Off a penalty corner, Waterkeyn potted her seventh marker of the fall as freshman Carly Brosious (Drexel Hill, PA/Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast) picked up the assist.

Late in the first half, senior Jessica Randazzo (Media, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) gave the Broncs a two-goal edge with her first tally of the autumn. The goal would prove to be the game-winner.

Rider took a 2-1 edge into halftime as Bryant scored off a penalty corner heading into the break.

Junior Tess Coorens (Leiden, Netherlands/Visser'T Hooft Lyceum) scored for the second game in a row to give the Broncs a two-goal edge once again early in the second half. Coorens found the back of the cage off a penalty corner with freshman Tess van Ommeren (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Sint Nicolaas Lyceum) picking up the helper.  

With just under six minutes remaining in regulation, the Bulldogs pulled their goalkeeper in favor of an extra attacker trailing, 3-1. The Bronc backline and Vandam held their ground down the stretch as Rider earned the victory.  

NOTES & QUOTES
"We are really proud of our teams effort and resiliency. We are playing tough and working hard every minute we are on the field and figuring out a way to get it done. We are going to try and heal up some injuries, stay focused and take it one game at a time." – Rider Head Coach Lori Hussong

- The Broncs are 8-3 on the road this season.
- Rider has won six straight games.
- Rider leads the all-time series with Bryant, 9-2, as the Broncs avenged a 1-0 setback to the Bulldogs in the Ocean State last season.     
- On Monday, Carly Brosious was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week and Lena Vandam was honored as the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week.
- Brosious was also named the Synapse Sports Division I National Rookie of the Week on Wednesday.  
- The Broncs held a 12-7 advantage in shots. Rider had seven shots on goal, while Bryant had three.
- The Broncs had seven penalty corners and the Bulldogs had four.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Vandam turned aside one shot in both halves on Friday. On the season, she now has a 2.02 goals-against average to go along with 95 saves, a .748 save percentage and four shutouts.
- Coorens is enjoying a breakout season. She leads the team with 12 goals and 27 points. She has scored five goals in her last four games.
- Randazzo's goal was her first of the year.
- Tess van Ommeren registered an assist for the fifth straight game. She leads the team with eight helpers this autumn.  

UP NEXT
Rider returns to action on Tuesday, October 23, with a road non-conference showdown against regional rival La Salle that is slated to begin at 3:30 pm. The Broncs are looking to avenge a 3-2 overtime setback to the Explorers in Lawrenceville last season.