NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The Rider University Field Hockey team exploded offensively, defeating Merrimack, 5-1, Friday afternoon. The Broncs improve to 3-6, while the Warriors fall to 0-9 in the NEC opener for both teams.
 
The Broncs appeared to open the scoring early in the first when Lyric Scott (Union, NJ/Union) played a long ball into the circle that made its way into the back of the cage. After initially signaling for a goal, the umpire determined that Valeria Perales (Madrid, Spain/IES Mirasierra) did not get a touch inside the circle and the game remained scoreless.
 
Midway through the second quarter, the Broncs broke through. After a Perales shot was saved by the Merrimack goalkeeper, Emma Bonshak (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) jumped on the loose ball and went around the keeper to give the Broncs the lead.
 
Merrimack quickly tied the game, scoring on a penalty corner just minutes later. The Broncs would respond just as quickly earning a penalty corner just minutes after the game was tied. Kiera Guckavan (Middletown, PA/Middletown Area) made the insert to Perales, who fired a pass to Willemijn Ephraim (Amsterdam, The Netherlands/Vossius Gymnasium). Ephraim ripped a shot from the top left of the circle that made its way into the goal to put Rider back on top 2-1 entering the break.
 
Midway through the third, the Broncs extended the lead on another penalty corner. Ephraim took the initial shot off the corner that was saved, this time it was Carli Ciocco (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East[App State]) jumping on the loose rebound and scoring with the extra effort.
 
Late in the fourth, Bonshak was tripped in the circle, earning a penalty stroke. Perales calmly stepped up and converted the stroke. In the waning minutes of the fourth Perales made a drive down the right side and fired a centering pass across the face of the goal. After briefly disappearing amongst traffic in front, the ball deflected onto the stick of Liv Cox (Conestoga, PA/Penn Manor) who finished to produce the final score.

Quotes & Notes
"We played with a lot of energy today. We played all four quarters together and that showed in having five different goal scorers. Our defense did a great job stepping and intercepting. It was a great team win." – Head Coach Alicia Govannicci
 
- The Broncs have now taken all five all-time meetings between the programs.
- Carlee Fulton (West Chester, PA/West Chester East) made the start in goal and played all 60 minutes, making one save.
- Ang Borisow (Harleysville, PA/Souderton), Guckavan, Megan Normile (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt), Ciocco, and Alyssa Hoffmann (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) played all 60 minutes in the field.
- Bonshak and Cox each scored the first goals of their career.
- Ciocco scored her fourth goal of the season and 11^th of her career.
- Ephraim scored her third goal of the season.
- Perales scored her third goal of the season and 23^rd of her career.

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider held an 20-4 edge in shots, with a 15-2 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Broncs earned nine corners, while the Warriors earned one.
 
Up Next
- Rider returns home for a non-conference tilt against Lock Haven at noon on Sunday.