Friday, October 18, 2024
Rider Broncs (7-6, 3-1 NEC) vs. Merrimack Warriors (0-11, 0-4 NEC)
Location:  Ben Cohen Field
Time: 7:00 PM
Live Stats:  GoBroncs.com
Broadcast: ESPN+
 
What You Need To Know
- The Broncs return home following a five-game road trip when they host Merrimack.
- Friday's game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
- Prior to the game, the team will honor its outgoing seniors Lyric Scott (Union, NJ/Union) and Katie Wuerstle (Schwenksville, PA/Perkiomen Valley [Kent State])
- The Broncs were picked to finish fourth in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll. Rider finished in a three-way tie for third in the NEC last season under then first-year head coach Alicia Govannicci.
- Rider is currently one of five teams with just one loss in NEC play this season, sitting at 3-1 on the season. Fairfield currently tops the standings at 4-1. Saint Francis and Wagner are both 3-1 along with the Broncs. Stonehill is currently 2-1.
- The Broncs are currently second in the country, earning 9.38 corners per contest.
-  Megan Normile (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) earned NEC Offensive Player of the Week honors after scoring four goals and adding an assist in the opening week of the season. Olivia Machiavelli (Madrid, Spain/International School Sek el Castillo) has been named NEC Rookie of the Week four times this season, and earned her first NEC Offensive Player of the Week honor after scoring three goals, including two in a win over Saint Francis. Valeria Perales (Madrid, Spain/IES Mirasierra) also earned NEC Offensive Player of the Week honors once this season.
- Rider returns a pair of First-Team All-NEC performers from a season ago in Perales and Scott.
- Perales led the Broncs in goals and points for the second-straight season, finishing the year with eight goals and 19 points. Scott was a key member of the Broncs midfield, scoring a pair of goals and helping anchor the Rider defensive penalty corner unit.
- Normile leads the NEC this season with three defensive saves. Machiavelli leads the NEC with 10 goals and 24 points.
- Jade Regnart (Cape Town, South Africa/Fairmont) has taken control of the goalie position. The freshman has earned shutout victories in conference wins over Mercyhurst and Fairfield.
- Rider's roster features players from four different countries, Germany, South Africa, Spain, and the United States.
- Rider leads the all-time series over Merrimack 5-0, outscoring the Warriors 24-4 across the five meetings.
- Julie Wester leads the Warriors this season with three points. Isabelle Gardiner leads the nation at 12.18 saves per contest.