LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Coming off a 3-0 home victory against Sacred Heart to close out conference play in 2019, the Rider University field hockey team is set for the 2019 Northeast Conference (NEC) Conference Tournament this weekend.
 
"Our team has worked very hard to earn the second seed and are excited and ready to compete," Rider Head Coach Loris Hussong. "We will have to be at our best to get through LIU as they play with energy and tenacity. At this point, seeds don't really matter as everyone has their sights set on winning the championship."
 
NEC Semifinals
No. 2 Rider (12-6, 5-1 NEC) vs. No. 3 LIU (7-9, 4-2 NEC)
Friday, November 8, 2019 at 2:30 PM
Staten Island, NY (Wagner College Field Hockey Complex)
Live Video: NEC Front Row
Live Stats: WagnerAthletics.com
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The Broncs secured the number two seed in the upcoming NEC Championship thanks to posting a 5-1 record in league play. Rider went a perfect 3-0 at home versus NEC opponents.
 
- Rider is playing in the postseason for the 20th season in a row.
 
- In the first meeting between LIU and the Broncs this season, Rider scored a 2-1 victory at home. In the win, Tess van Ommeren and Julia Divorra scored for the Broncs. In the cage, Lena Vandam made three saves to earn the win.
 
- Three Rider players have earned weekly awards from the NEC this season. Julia Divorra has been named the NEC Offensive Player of the Week twice, Carly Brosious has been named the NEC Offensive Player of the Week once and goalkeeper Lena Vandam has once been honored as the NEC Defensive Player of the Week.
 
- Two Broncs have recorded hat tricks this season. Julia Divorra had one on September 15 against Colgate at home and Carly Brosious scored three markers in a victory over Towson on September 27.
 
- Divorra is enjoying a breakout campaign. When she scores this year the Broncs are 12-0. She leads the NEC in both goals (15) and points (36). Her 15 goals are the most by a Rider player since Sandra Penas had 20 in 2012.
 
- Carly Brosious has been a threat on the offensive end all year for Rider. This season she has set new career-highs in goals (12), assists (9) and points (33). She has three games with two or more goals this fall and two separate games with two or more assists.
 
- Julia Divorra and Carly Brosious have combined for 69 points this season. That is the most by a Bronc duo since Sandra Penas and Gabby Burgo combined for 74 points during the 2012 campaign.
 
- In the cage, Lena Vandam has played every minute of action this season. She is 12-6 with 74 saves, a .755 save percentage and a 1.30 goals-against average. Vandam has recorded seven or more saves in a game five times this year. She recorded her second shutout of the season and the 11th of her career last Friday against Sacred Heart. 
 
- Head Coach Lori Hussong is in her 20th season at the helm of the program in 2019. She has a career record of 261-134. She is the winningest coach in program history and earlier this season she became the 15th active Division I Field Hockey Head Coach with 250 or more wins.