HAMDEN, CT- The Rider University women's soccer team again took the reigning MAAC Champion to their limit but fell, 1-0, in the MAAC Semifinals on Thursday afternoon. With the loss, the Broncs end their season at 7-9-2, while Quinnipiac moves on to the MAAC title game for the third straight season. 

The match was scoreless after one half and the Broncs' defense was the biggest story in the first 45 minutes. Quinnipiac spent the majority of the first half with possession. However, the Bobcats were only able to create one shot toward the cage in the 33rd minute where Ella Gagno pushed a ball toward the left post that Rider goalkeeper Ellie Sciancalepore (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) was all over to keep the game scoreless after one.

However, in the first minute of the second half, Quinnipiac was able to generate a penalty kick after a foul on Amanda Mendez (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) would give the Bobcats a chance to strike. The 2023 MAAC Golden Boot Award winner Courtney Chochol took the try and converted to give Quinnipiac the 1-0 lead that they would hold onto to seal their third-0straight MAAC Title Game berth. 

QUOTES & NOTES
"The team put out a really good 2nd half performance today and did everything they could to get into the MAAC Championship game. Being eliminated on a penalty call is hard to swallow but I am very proud of how hard the team competed as they really took hold of the game offensively and shut down the opponent defensively. The graduating players have left the program in a strong position to continue this journey for a 2nd championship next year."– Rider Head Coach Drayson Hounsome

- Rider has made its 11th straight appearance in the MAAC Championships. 
- Rider's made it's first semifinal appearance since April of 2021

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Sciancalepore made four saves in the loss.
-  Sciancalepore, Amanda Mendez, Emma Cordero, Genevieve Ryan, Bethie Morgan, Abbie Roberts, and Courtney Carter played all 90 minutes.
- Quinnipiac outshot Rider 14-6 with a 5-2 shots on goal advantage.