Box Score BROOKVILLE, NY – The Rider University field hockey team got a key victory toward clinching a berth in the NEC Playoffs Friday afternoon, defeating LIU 3-2. The Broncs move to 10-5 on the season and 4-1 in NEC play. The Sharks fall to 6-10 on the year and 3-2 in league play.
 
Midway through the first quarter, Indy Zoontjens (Hilversum, Netherlands/Alberdingk Thijm College) made a steal near midfield and on the ensuing counter attack played a through ball to the stick of Semra Said (Mannheim, Germany/Feudenheim Gymnasium Mannheim). Said deked around the goalie and finished to put Rider up 1-0.
 
The score remained there until late in the third quarter. Abby Hartwell (Monroeville, NJ/Delsea Regional) drew a foul just outside the top of the circle. Sierra Giuliano (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) made the restart for the Broncs and connected with Valeria Perales (Madrid, Spain/IES Mirasierra), who found the net for a key insurance goal.
 
LIU countered early in the fourth, scoring off a beautiful centering pass that was tipped home to trim the lead to one.
 
Again it was the Broncs finding an insurance goal. Said fired a shot that was saved, the rebound bounced out to Lyric Scott (Union, NJ/Union). Scott passed to Giuliano who hit a beautiful reverse chip to extend the lead back to two goals.
 
Again the Sharks got to within one, scoring on a penalty corner with less than a minute remaining, but the Broncs ran out the clock to secure the win.

Quotes & Notes
"Our team fought hard today and really played tough. Indy, Val, Sierra, Abby, Lyric, and Meave came up with some big time plays offensively and defensivelyto help hold off a very tough and dangerous LIU team today."
 
"We are very proud of our team's effort and determination. We dug down deep and got the job done." – Head Coach Lori Hussong
 
- Rider leads the all-time series 5-1 over LIU since the Brooklyn and Post campuses were merged.
- Rider has won six-straight games.
- Kaitlyn Tomas (Campbellville, Ontario/Appleby College) made the start in net, making six saves to earn the win.
- Perales' goals bring her NEC-leading total this year to 16. With three games remaining in the regular season, Perales ranks 10^th in program history in single-season goals and ninth in program history in single-season points.
 

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider outshot LIU 15-12, including a 10-8 edge in shots on goal.
- Rider earned nine corners, while the Sharks earned 11.
- Said has scored in three-straight games and has seven goals on the season.
- Giuliano has six goals and an NEC-leading nine assists.
 
Up Next
- The Broncs are back at home Sunday for Senior Day. Game time is set for 12 p.m.