LORETTO, PA – The Rider University field hockey team found itself on the wrong end of a high-scoring showdown Friday evening, falling 3-2 to Saint Francis University. The NEC opener for both teams, the Broncs fall to 4-5 overall, while the Red Flash improve to 2-8.
 
Saint Francis opened the scoring in the second quarter, converting on a corner attempt with a backhand shot that put Saint Francis up 1-0. The Broncs immediately responded with their own corner attempt. Valeria Perales (Madrid, Spain/IES Mirasierra) made the insert to Sierra Giuliano (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), who deked around a defender before firing for the goal. The score remained tied 1-1 into the half.
 
Midway through the third quarter, the Red Flash scored again on a corner attempt to take the lead for the second time in the game, and again Rider had the quick answer. Indy Zoontjens (Hilversum, Netherlands/Alberdingk Thijm College) dribbled in down the baseline, then made the centering pass to Perales, who scored her 10^th goal of the season to even the game once again.
 
The Red Flash found the net again midway through the fourth, scoring on another corner. Saint Francis got a deflection that went over the top of the defense and fell into the cage. The Best Rider chance would come would roughly four minutes remaining when the Broncs got back-to-back corners, but could not convert.

Quotes & Notes
"Once again, we were not ready to compete and got out-hustled and out-played all over the field. We need to improve and play with energy and confidence every time we step on the field."
 
"It's frustrating to watch, knowing that we did not play to our potential and let a tougher and hungrier Saint Francis team take advantage of our mistakes." – Head Coach Lori Hussong
 
- The win is just the third for the Red Flash over the Broncs in 23 games. Today snaps a five-game Rider winning streak in the series.
- Kaitlyn Tomas (Campbellville, Ontario/Appleby College) made the start in net, making four saves.
- Giuliano has four goals on the season and 11 points, both career-highs for the senior.
- Perales now has 10 goals on the season, which leads the NEC.
- Kiki van Ommeren (Amsterdam, Netherlands/Montessori Lyceum Amsterdam), Amanda Zambrana (Garwood, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson), Perales, Meg Normile (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt), Zoontjens, Maeve Riehman (Norristown, PA/Archbishop Carroll), and Giuliano played all 60 minutes in the game.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider out-shot Saint Francis 10-9. Both teams put seven shots on goal.
- Rider earned 11 corners, while the Red Flash earned five.
 
Up Next
- The Broncs have a non-conference game against a ranked opponent against 25^th-ranked American on Sunday at 2 p.m.