LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Sophomore Julia Divorra (Terrassa, Spain/Vedruna Vall) recorded her first career hat trick to lead the Rider University field hockey team past visiting Colgate, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon in non-conference action at Ben Cohen Field.
 
The Broncs (3-2) used a four-goal surge in the fourth quarter to defeat the Raiders (2-3).
 
Divorra opened the scoring in the first quarter as she fired a shot from just inside the circle that found the back of the cage. The Raiders would answer in the final minute of the first half with a goal off a corner.
 
After a scoreless third quarter, the Broncs erupted for four goals over the final 10 minutes of play. Three of those Rider tallies came off penalty corners.
 
Divorra had two goals down the stretch and both Tess Coorens (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Visser'T Hooft Lyceum) and Sierra Giuliano (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) each found the back of the cage as well. Giuliano's marker capped the scoring and it was the first goal of her career.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"I think after the first three quarters we rebounded pretty well. Colgate played us tough. Our emphasis at halftime was to cash in our opportunities. Overall game wise, I think Kiki vam Ommeren and Sierra Giuliano held our team together in the middle of the field." – Rider Head Coach Lori Hussong
 
- Rider outshot Colgate, 24-8. The Broncs had 18 shots on goal and the Raiders fired six on target.
- The Broncs took 10 penalty corners and Colgate had five corners.
- Rider has won nine of the last 10 meetings against the Raiders.
- On Tuesday, Lena Vandam was named the NEC Defensive Player of the Week.
- Also earlier this week, Julia Divorra was tabbed as an NEC Prime Performer.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Divorra had four goals on the week after also scoring in a midweek victory over Drexel. She added an assist for the Broncs in Sunday's victory as well. Her seven points were a new career-high. Divorra's second goal of the day proved to be the game-winner. It was her second game-winner of the year and the second of her career.
- In the cage, Lena Vandam made five saves for the Broncs. She has allowed just one goal in all five of Rider's games this season.
- Tess Coorens scored her first goal of the season. It was the 17 goal of her career.
 
UP NEXT
Rider returns to action next Sunday, September 22, with a road non-conference showdown against regional rival Villanova. The tilt with the Wildcats is the first of six straight road contests for the Broncs.