Sunday, October 29, 2023
#6 Rider Broncs (6-8-2, 4-5-1 MAAC) vs #3 Canisius (9-3-5, 6-2-2 MAAC)
Location: Buffalo, NY
Kickoff: 12 p.m.
Live Video – ESPN+
Live Stats – GoBroncs

What You Need To Know
- The Rider University women's soccer team kicks off MAAC Tournament action vs Canisius in a rematch of last season's quarterfinals.  

Last Time Out
-Rider University Women's Soccer fell in their final regular season matchup to Mount St Mary's, 1-0. However, the Broncs clinched an 11th consecutive berth to the MAAC Tournament on Wednesday night. 
- Rider will be looking for their first MAAC title since 2014.
- Ellie Sciancalepore made three saves in the loss.
- Sciancalepore, Genevieve Ryan, Bethie Morgan, Abbie Roberts and Courtney Carter played all 90 minutes.
- Rider outshot The Mount, 9-8, but were even in shots on goal with four apiece.

History vs Canisius 
- Saturday's contest marks the 29th all-time meeting between the Golden Griffins and Broncs.
- Rider won this year's regular season matchup, 1-0. The match's lone goal came in the 67th minute as Chloe Fisher found the back of the net to secure her third goal of the season, and her first at home since 2021 vs. Marist. 
- The two squared off twice last year, with Canisius winning both matchups including the postseason matchup at Ben Cohen Field on PK's following a 1-1 tie.
- Rider is 14-12-2 all-time vs Canisius. 

About the Golden Griffins
- Sophomore midfielder Skylar Cornell and junior midfielder Emma Oliphant each tallied a goal to lead Canisius to a 2-1 victory over Battle of the Bridge rival Niagara in their last time out. 
- Cornell leads the Griffs with six goals and two assists on the year. Cornell's six goals rank tied for third in the MAAC.
- Emma Oliphant 8th in assists with four on the season to match her four goals in 2023.
- For the first time in program history, the Canisius women's soccer team will host a home game in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Championship as the No. 3 seed. 

Back in the MAAC
- Last year, Rider made it to the MAAC Tournament for the 10th straight year but fell to  5th-seeded Canisius in the opening round by PKs.
- The Broncs sit 4th in fewest goals per game with 1.13 goals allowed per game.
- Chloe Fisher ranks tied for first in the MAAC with three game-winning goals on the year.

The Sciancalepore Report
- Preseason All-MAAC selection Ellie Sciancalepore highlights Rider, as they were picked to finish fifth in the MAAC by the league's coaches. Quinnipiac is the preseason favorite, receiving 6 of 11 first-place votes and 115 points. 
- Sciancalepore, was a massive bright spot for the Broncs last year earning a First Team All-MAAC selection, and winning the MAAC Golden Glove award for top Keeper in the conference. Sciancalepore posted a 1.32 GAA and an .829 save percentage with six shutouts playing every minute of every game the Broncs played in 2022.
- Sciancalepore current sits 4th in the MAAC in GAA at 1.13 and 3rd in SAV% at .827.
- Sciancalepore ranks among the best in Rider history now sitting in a tie for 3rd all-time in Rider history with 21 wins (Kim Carter, 04-06), and tied for 2nd all-time in shutouts with 13 on her Rider career.

Hey Hey! Hannah
- Senior Midfielder Hannah Freeman (Lowville, NY/Lowville) leads the Broncs with 4 goals on the campaign, which also ranks top 10 in the MAAC this season.
- Freeman connected on goals in back-to-back matches vs Saint Peter's and Manhattan.
- Freeman's four-goal campaign is the most for her career previously scattering 5 goals across three seasons. 

Continuing Tradition
- Rider women's soccer looks to make the postseason for an 11th straight season, the Broncs are looking for their first MAAC title since 2014.
- Rider Head Coach Drayson Hounsome returns for his 16th season, having compiled over 115 wins at Rider entering the season.