LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University Field Hockey team closed out the NEC regular season with a win Friday night, defeating LIU 2-1. The Broncs improve to 7-10 overall and 4-3 in NEC Play. The Sharks drop to 4-11 on the year and 2-5 in league games.
 
The Sharks were able to open the scoring midway through the first quarter. LIU played a long ball over the top that was deflected inside the circle before making its way into the back of the cage.
 
Rider fought back in the second. Off a penalty corner, Semra Said (Mannheim, Germany/Feudenheim Gymnasium Mannheim) took a shot that was saved. Lyric Scott (Union, NJ/Union) tapped home the loose ball to even the score.
 
Less than two minutes later, Said made a steal in the attacking third and dribbled into the circle. She found a trailing Valeria Perales (Madrid, Spain/IES Mirasierra), who finished into the net to give Rider the lead.
 
Neither side recorded a shot in the second half until with less than one minute remaining, the Sharks gained possession in the circle, but the shot was fired just wide and the Broncs drained the remainder of the clock.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We've made a lot of improvements throughout the season. We finally found where we clicked and once that happened, we had more scoring opportunities and we communicated better."
 
"We always say defend Ben. Whenever we play here, we say that and we know that we have our home crowd and play a little bit tougher." – Head Coach Alicia Govanicci
 
"It was bittersweet. I love that everyone hustled. They put their heart out on the field, and it was nice to win on this field one last time." – Senior Goalie Carlee Fulton
 
- Rider now leads the all-time series 6-1.
- Carlee Fulton (West Chester, PA/West Chester East) made the start in goal, making one save.
- Ang Borisow (Harleysville, PA/Souderton), Kiera Guckavan (Middletown, PA/Middletown Area), Willermijn Ephraim (Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Vossius Gymnasium), Said, Perales, Megan Normile (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt), Scott, Carli Ciocco (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East [ App State]), and Alyssa Hoffman (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) played all 60 minutes in the field.
- Perales' goal gives her eight for the season and 28 for her career.
- Scott's goal is her second of the season and fourth of her career.
- Despite finishing tied for the third in the NEC standings, the Broncs did not qualify for the NEC Tournament

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider held a 5-3 advantage in shots, and the Broncs held a 3-2 edge in shots on goal.
- The Broncs earned five corners to just three for the Sharks.
 
Up Next
- Rider returns to action Sunday when the Broncs close out the season at Hofstra. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.