STATEN ISLAND, NY – The Rider University field hockey team saw its season come to an unfortunate conclusion Friday afternoon, falling 2-1 to top-seeded Fairfield Friday afternoon in the NEC Semifinals. The Broncs conclude their season at 11-8, while the Stags improve to 13-7 and advance to the NEC Championship Game.
 
Julia Divorra (Terrasa, Spain/Vedruna Vall) put the Broncs on top early, receiving a pass from Maeve Riehman (Norristown, PA/Archbishop Carroll) before splitting a pair of Stag defenders and hitting a reverse chip by the Fairfield goalie.
 
Early in the second quarter, Fairfield tied the game, scoring off of a corner opportunity as a ball got through the Rider defense to Jolanda Richter, who finished from in close.
 
In the third, Fairfield played a long ball from the right corner into the circle that found the stick of Agustina Casteluchi, who was alone in the middle of the circle. She fired a shot that found the back of the cage and would wind up as the game-winner.
 
The Broncs had opportunities to tie the game, but shots from Divorra and Tess van Ommeren (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Sint Nicolaas Lyceum) went just wide in the final frame.
 

Quotes & Notes
"We played some of our best hockey today, but came up just a bit short. We had a good game plan, but made critical defensive mistakes that Fairfield took advantage of on their goals."

"We are so proud of our team this year. We had to overcome so many challenges in order to get to the playoffs, and had so many players step up their games. We have really enjoyed our time with the senior classe. Each has left their mark on our program and we know that they are going to go on to the next stage of life ready to succed in all that they do." - Head Coach Lori Hussong

- The Broncs still lead the all-time series 17-11. Fairfield takes a 3-2 all-time series lead in postseason games.
- Kaitlyn Tomas (Campbellville, Ontario/Appleby College) made three saves in goal for the Broncs.
- Kiki van Ommeren (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Montessori Lyceum Amsterdam), Tess van Ommeren, Carly Brosious (Drexel Hill, PA/Monsignor Bonner [Archbishop Prendergast]), Divorra, Lyric Scott (Union, NJ/Union), Maeve Riehman (Norristown, PA/Archbishop Carroll), Sierra Giuliano (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), and Hannah Hartwell (Monroeville, MJ/Delsea Regional) played all 60 minutes in the game

Broncs By The Numbers
- The Broncs and Stags each had seven shots in the game, but Fairfield held a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal.
- Fairfield earned five penalty corners, while the Broncs drew four.
- Divorra ends her Rider career with 43 goals, eighth-most in program history, 23 assists, 11^th-most in program history, and 109 points, eighth-most in program history.
- Tess van Ommeren ends her Rider career with 31 assists, seventh-most in program history.
- Brosious closes out her Rider career with 37 goals, 10^th-most in program history.