LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University field hockey team used a second-half surge to defeat visiting Sacred Heart, 3-0, on Friday evening in Northeast Conference (NEC) action at Ben Cohen Field.
 
The Broncs (12-5, 5-1 NEC) secured the number two seed in the upcoming NEC Championship with the victory, while Pioneers (5-13, 3-3 NEC) have now dropped two of their last three conference games.
 
After a scoreless first half, junior Kaitlyn Flemming (Bellmawr, NJ/Triton Regional High School) gave the hosts a lead they would not relinquish with her third goal of the season. Flemming converted a rebound in the 41st minute with the eventual game-winning goal.
 
The Broncs would stretch their lead to two goals early in the fourth quarter as junior Brittany Romanczuk (Washington, NJ/Notre Dame) converted a penalty stroke attempt.
 
Sophomore Julia Divorra (Terrassa, Spain/Vedruna Vall) put an exclamation point on the victory with an insurance goal in the 58th minute.
 
In the cage for the Broncs, junior Lena Vandam (Brasschaat, Belgium) turned aside the only shot she faced to earn her 12th victory of the year.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"Their goalkeeper is outstanding. The entire Sacred Heart team plays with our style with a lot of heart and effort. Our kids really stood up to the challenge today. We kept pounding away and finally found a way to get one." – Rider Head Coach Lori Hussong
 
"We talked at halftime and we knew it wasn't going to be our initial shot that got in, we needed to fight for rebounds and get more pressure." – Hussong
 
- Rider will be making its 20th straight appearance in postseason play.
- The Broncs have now won five games in a row against the Pioneers.
- Rider leads the all-time series with SHU, 24-7.
- The Broncs outshot Sacred Heart, 28-1. The hosts had 23 shots on goal, while the Pioneers had just one.
- Rider took a season-high 15 penalty corners in the win, while Sacred Heart did not have any.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The game-winning goal was Flemming's second of the season and the second of her career. Two of her three markers this fall have come against NEC foes.
- Romanczuk's goal was her first of the season and the fourth of her career. She is now 2-of-2 in her career in converting penalty strokes.
- Divorra's goal was her NEC-leading 15th of the season. When she scores this year Rider is 12-0.  
- Vandam has now recorded back-to-back shutouts at home. The shutout was her second of the season and the 11th of her career. Both of her shutouts in 2019 have been against NEC opponents.
- Sophomore Tess van Ommeren picked up an assist on Divorra's goal with a nice outlet pass. It was her fifth helper of the season.
 
UP NEXT
Rider closes out the 2019 regular season on Sunday, November 3, with a home non-conference contest against Lock Haven. Prior to the start of the game, the Broncs will honor their five graduating players for their contributions to the program.