BUFFALO, NY- After scoring the only goal in the regular season matchup, Chloe Fisher (Warrington, England/Cronton Sixth Form College) once again delivered a game-winning goal as sixth-seeded Rider University Women's Soccer upset the #3 seed Canisius, 1-0, in the MAAC Quarterfinals. With the win, Rider moves to 7-8-2 and will travel to top-seeded Quinnipiac on Thursday, November 2nd, while Canisius ends its season at 9-4-5.

The game's lone goal came in the 20th minute off a cross from Ava Ferrie (Branford, CT, Branford) who found Fisher inside the 18-yard box. Fisher then headed it towards the far post, securing her second goal of the year against Canisius. The goal marks Fisher's fourth of the season and her MAAC-best fourth game-winning goal of the campaign.

In the second half, the Golden Griffins intensified their offensive attack, with 16 of their 22 shots, and three of their four shots on goal occurring in the final 45 minutes. The most significant chances for the Griffs came in the 55th and 57th minutes. In the 55th minute, Sophie Chelini sent a shot towards the goal, but Rider Goalkeeper Ellie Sciancalepore (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) rose up and pushed the ball over the crossbar, denying the Griffins' first great try. In the 57th minute, Sciancalepore was once again called upon as one of Canisius' leading scorers, Emma Oliphant, worked from a sharp angle and forced the 2022 MAAC Golden Glove recipient to make a pair of stops for the Broncs to keep the lead.
 

UNREAL performance in goal from Ellie Sciancalepore to power the Broncs to an opening round win 🧤#MAACSoccer x @RiderSoccer pic.twitter.com/gJEdg8cIjZ

— #MAACSports (@MAACSports) October 29, 2023

The win marks Rider's first MAAC Tournament victory since the 2020-21 shortened spring season when Rider defeated Manhattan 2-1 at home on April 9th, 2021.

QUOTES & NOTES
"It was a great win today and super proud of the effort. I think Canisius are an outstanding team with some excellent players so to travel up and win 1-0 on their turf is very hard to do. Our group showed great character to handle and absorb pressure. We'll rest up and get ready for Thursday." – Rider Head Coach Drayson Hounsome

- Rider is making its 11th straight appearance in the MAAC Championships. 
- It's Rider's first semifinal appearance since April of 2021.
- Sciancalepore made four saves in the shutout. It is her 5th shutout of the year and 15th of her career which is 2nd all-time in Broncs history.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Sciancalepore made four saves in the win.
-  Sciancalepore, Ferrie, Amanda Mendez, Emma Cordero, Genevieve Ryan, Bethie Morgan, Abbie Roberts, and Courtney Carter played all 90 minutes.
- Canisius outshot Rider 22-6 with a 4-2 shots on goal advantage. 

UP NEXT
The Broncs continue MAAC Tournament play as they travel to top-seeded Quinnipiac on Thursday, November 2nd.