LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University field hockey team dropped its season opener, 1-0, to visiting Lehigh on Friday afternoon at Ben Cohen Field.
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The Mountain Hawks (1-0) avenged a two-goal setback to the Broncs (0-1) at home last season with the shutout win.
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The defensive battle saw the two goalkeepers combine for 16 saves and just one goal allowed.
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The Broncs controlled the pace early, but the hosts were unable to convert on any of their seven first-half penalty corners.
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The guests took the lead in the second quarter as Lehigh's Anna Lehman scored off a penalty corner. The tally came in the 24th minute of action and proved to be the game winner.
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Rider's best threat came early in the fourth quarter. Freshman
Sierra Giuliano (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) came rushing in on goal and saw her shot turned aside by the diving Mountain Hawk netminder. Sophomore
Julia Divorra (Terrassa, Spain/Vedruna Vall) collected the rebound and her shot was stopped as well.
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NOTES & QUOTES
"Today was a little bit disappointing on the offensive end not having scored a goal despite all opportunities we had on corners. Lehigh's goalie played outstanding, but we did not stay poised or run our plays effectively."
– Rider Head Coach Lori Hussong Â
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- Rider took 11 penalty corner compared to six for the Mountain Hawks.
- The Broncs outshot Lehigh, 14-9. Rider had nine shots on goal and Lehigh had eight.
- Rider leads the all-time series with Lehigh, 20-18-1. The Mountain Hawks have won two of the last three meetings between the two teams.
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BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- In goal for the Broncs,
Lena Vandam made seven saves in a losing effort. She has made six or more saves in each of her last four appearances for Rider.
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Tess Coorens and
Sierra Giuliano each had two shots on goal apiece for Rider.
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Sierra Giuliano,
Amanda Zambrana,
Kiki van Ommeren,
Maeve Riehman,
Hannah Hartwell and
Jenna Segrave all made their Rider debuts on Friday.
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UP NEXT
Rider returns to action at home next Friday, September 6, as the Broncs host La Salle in non-conference play.
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