LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Sophomore Julia Divorra (Terrassa, Spain/Vedruna Vall) scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime period to lead the Rider University field hockey team past visiting La Salle, 2-1, on Friday afternoon in rainy conditions at Ben Cohen Field.
 
The Broncs (1-1) earned their first win of the season and snapped a two-game skid against the Explorers (1-2).
 
Rider opened the scoring in the second quarter as freshman Kiki van Ommeren (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Montessory Lyceum Amsterdam) potted her first collegiate marker. Kiki took a pass from sophomore Carly Brosious (Drexel Hill, PA/Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast) and found the back of the cage to give the Broncs a 1-0 edge.
 
The hosts would hold that lead until late in regulation when La Salle was awarded a penalty stroke. The Explorers converted to force overtime.
 
Divorra's game-winning strike came off a penalty corner in the 72nd minute of action. Divorra deflected the shot of classmate Tess van Ommeren (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Sint Nicolaas Lyceum) past the La Salle goalkeeper to give Rider the win. 
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"I definitely think that we played tough. Our defense held tight. Brittany Romanczuck had an outstanding game for us." – Rider Head Coach Lori Hussong
 
"It was exciting to see Julia on the field and getting into the scoring column. She has been frustrated at times, but she is coming along. Having Kiki score was really nice for her as well." – Hussong
 
- The last seven games between the two teams have been decided by one goal.
- Head Coach Lori Hussong earned her 250th career win at the helm of the program. She becomes the 15th active Division I Head Coach with 250 or more career wins. 
- Rider leads the all-time series with the Explorers, 25-10-2.
- Both teams took eight penalty corners apiece. Four of La Salle's penalty corners came in the first overtime period.
- ­­Rider is now 1-1 at home in 2019.
- The victory was the first for the Broncs versus La Salle since 2016.
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- In the cage, junior Lena Vandam made seven saves for the Broncs. Dating back to last season, she has made six or more saves in each of her last five appearances for Rider.
- Brittany Romanczuk and Kaitlyn Flemming each had one defensive save for the Broncs.
- Divorra's goal was her first career game-winning goal.
- Tess van Ommered earned her 11th career assist after recording a team-leading 10 helpers as a freshman.
 
UP NEXT
Rider returns to action next Tuesday, September 10, with a road tilt against regional foe Drexel in the City of Brotherly Love.