LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University field hockey team jumped out to an early lead and hung on late, defeating Saint Francis (PA), 2-1 Sunday afternoon. The Broncs got a much-needed win to improve to 10-6 overall and 3-3 in the NEC. The Red Flash drop to 6-11 overall and are 2-4 in conference play.
 
Late in the first quarter, Carly Brosious (Drexel Hill, PA/Monsignor Bonner [Archbishop Prendergast]) received a long pass from Tess van Ommeren (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Sint Nicolaas Lyceum). Brosious beat the Red Flash goalie to put the Broncs on top early.
 
Early in the second, it was van Ommeren scoring on a shot from the top of the circle, extending the lead to 2-0, where it would stay through the end of the half.
 
After a scoreless third, both defenses remained strong into the fourth, but with 1:02 remaining the Red Flash earned a penalty stroke. Eva Valentini converted for Saint Francis, but the Red Flash would not get another shot in the game.

Quotes & Notes
"It was really important, first off it was senior day, and to get into the playoffs it was a must-win situation today. So that's two really important factors for why we had to play well and get the W. We knew what the stakes were coming into the game."
 
"We've gotten into a lull the last couple games, where teams have scored first on us. When you get to conference play, getting that one goal lead is so important because you get that momentum on your side."
 
"Our defense played amazing. We had some new players in the lineup today, adding Hannah Hartwell in at sweeper, which allowed us to move Maeve to forward and give us more offense." – Head Coach Lori Hussong
 
"Being a senior, you can see the end. We just need to give it our all. We want to get to the championship, and to do that we have to win our games."
 
"We've played together for so long, and I can feel where [Carly] is on the field and I just gave her that ball." – Senior Midfielder Tess van Ommeren
 
"It didn't matter who made the pass to me, it was a great pass progression, but coming from Tess, we connect a lot. We just make eye contact and she knows where to put it." – Senior Forward Carly Brosious
 
 
- The Broncs lead the all-time series 20-2 over the Red Flash, including five-straight.
- Brooke Golbeski (Jamison, PA/Central Bucks West) earned her first career victory in goal.
- Maeve Riehman (Norristown, PA/Archbishop Carroll) made her third defensive save of the season.
- Kiki van Ommeren (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Montessori Lyceum Amsterdam), Tess van Ommeren, Kat Conroy (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional), Sierra Guiliano (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), and Hannah Hartwell (Monroeville, NJ/Delsea Regional) played all 60 minutes in the game
- Prior to the game, the team honored its' five graduating seniors, Alexa Burns (Galloway, NJ/Absegami), Conroy, Brosious, Tess van Ommeren, and Julia Divorra (Terrassa, Spain/Vedruna Vall).

Broncs By The Numbers
- The Broncs out-shot Saint Francis 25-3, including a 17-2 advantage in shots on goal.
- Rider earned 10 corners in the game to just three for the Red Flash.
- Tess van Ommeren now has 28 career assists.
 
Up Next
- Rider remains at home for their final conference game against Sacred Heart on Thursday. Pushback is scheduled for 4 p.m.