WASHINGTON, DC – The Rider University field hockey team pulled off an historic upset Sunday afternoon, defeating a ranked opponent for the first time in program history, topping 25th-ranked American, 3-1. The Broncs improve to 5-5 on the season, while the Eagles fall to 6-5.
 
The Broncs struck early in the first quarter. Abby Hartwell (Monroeville, NJ/Delsea Regional) made a steal in Rider's attacking third, then while trying to split a pair of defender entering the circle played the ball loose to the middle of the circle. The ball found its way to the stick of Valeria Perales (Madrid, Spain/IES Mirasierra), who deked the goalie then hit the backhand shot to put Rider on top 1-0.
 
Rider extended the lead midway through the second quarter on a corner. Kiera Guckavan (Middletown, PA/Middletown Area) made the insert to Sierra Giuliano (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), who made the feed to Indy Zoontjens (Hilversum, Netherlands/Alberdingk Thijm College). Zoontjens beat the goalie five-hole to extend the lead to 2-0, which the Broncs held to the half.
 
American responded late in the third quarter off a corner, cutting the lead to 2-1 entering the final 15 minutes.
 
Early in the fourth, Giuliano made a backhand pass into the circle onto the stick of Semra Said (Mannheim, Germany/Feudenheim Gymnasium Mannheim). The freshman took a step to her right, then blasted a shot that found the back of the cage to produce the final score.

Quotes & Notes
"This was a total team win and every member contributed to our positive result, from our players on the field to our role players supporting on the sideline."
 
"We played tough all over the field, and played a beautiful passing game. Our defense stepped up big and stayed poised under pressure and our midfield did a good job of neutralizing the middle of the field, and our attack took advantage of their opportunities."
 
"We are so proud of our effort today! It was a great way to bounce back from a tough loss on Friday, and will give us confidence going into next weekend." – Head Coach Lori Hussong
 
- The win is the first-ever over a ranked opponent for the Broncs.
- Rider cuts into American's lead in the all-time series, now at 8-4-1. The teams had not met prior to this season since 2003.
- Kaitlyn Tomas (Campbellville, Ontario/Appleby College) made the start in net, making four saves to earn the win.
- Giuliano had the fifth multi-assist game of her career.
- Perales now has 11 goals on the season, which leads the NEC, and ranks in the top five nationally.
- Said's goal is the first of her Rider career.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider out-shot American 9-8, and had a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal.
- Rider earned just three corners, while the Eagles earned five.
- Zoontjens now has five goals on the year, and has recorded a point in five-straight games.
 
Up Next
- The Broncs return to conference play with a home game against Fairfield on Friday beginning at 7 p.m.