LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Makenzie Rodrigues scored her team-leading fourth goal of the year, but the Rider University women's soccer team fell to the unbeaten Villanova Wildcats, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Ben Cohen Field. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 1-2-0, while the Wildcats improve to 4-0-0.

The first goal of the afternoon came when Villanova connected passes to the 18 yard-box, where Chloe O'Neill put the ball into the upper left corner of the net in the 29^th minute of play. The Wildcats would strike again with a goal in the 43^rd minute from Makayla Stadler to close out the first half up 2-0.

Rider cut the goal deficit to one when Rodriguez scored her fourth goal of the year. Chloe Fisher connected down the left sideline to Camryn Dees to help Rodriguez rocket the ball past Wildcats goalkeeper, Megan McClay, in the 60^th minute. The Wildcats wouldn't let the Broncs' goal go unanswered, scoring once more in the 63^rd minute. O'Neill scored her second goal of the afternoon. The Villanova defense held the Broncs off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.   

Quotes and Notes
"Good team to start with. We we're playing a team that was 3-0, a team that works the ball really well with some technically really strong players. But I think a lot of positives from the game. They scored two of their goals with quality goals from a quality player. I still think we'll be a little disappointed when we look at the videotape – could we have maybe prevented those? But the execution of those shots was top quality."

"It was good to see Makenzie score another goal, a quality goal as well. I thought we put two or three good opportunities together. If we're creating opportunities this early in the season against a really good team, who's now 4-0 and they're going to have a really strong season and be in the playoffs for the Big East, no question – then I think that's a positive. If you look at each of games we've played – this is our third game – we've gotten progressively better. Disappointed with the result. But the outcome's really not that important at the moment. It's just getting better and improving the team from game-to-game." – Rider Head Coach Drayson Hounsome

- Villanova retains the lead in the all-time series 2-0. The Wildcats won the first meeting back in 2003.
-  Ellie Sciancalepore (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) made five saves for the Broncs against Villanova.
- Sciancalepore and Niamh Cashin (Nottingham, England/All Saints Academy) both played all 90 minutes.

Broncs By The Numbers
- The reigning MAAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year, Rodrigues scored her 14^th goal as a Bronc, including her team-leading fourth goal of the year.
- Fisher's assist was the fourth for the season, which along with two goals scored, ties her with Rodrigues for the team lead with eight points each.
- The Wildcats took 24 shots to the Broncs' four. Villanova also took the edge with eight shots on goal, while the Broncs had three.
- Villanova took a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Up Next
The Broncs play their first game on the road for the season Wednesday, as they travel to Delaware State at 7 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.