LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's lacrosse team played its home opener Thursday afternoon, defeating Saint Francis University, 19-13. The Broncs move to 2-0 in their inaugural season, while the Red Flash fall to 0-2.
 
The Broncs got the home crowd buzzing early with a pair of goals by Katie Walsh (Marlton, NJ/Camden Catholic[FDU-Florham]), then tallies by Anna Devlin (Marmora, NJ/Ocean City[TCNJ]) and Selena Carrington (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North[Rutgers]) giving Rider a 4-0 lead less than three minutes in the game. After a pair of goals by the Red Flash, Walsh completed her hat trick and Emily Wesoky (Sterling, VA/Dominion[Wagner]) scored to put Rider up 6-2 at the end of the first quarter.
 
Saint Francis found its footing in a low-scoring second quarter as the Red Flash outscored Rider 3-1 in the frame to pull to within 7-5 at the half.
 
Leading 9-6 midway through the third quarter, Rider began to pull away. Kylee Garcia (Neshanic Station, NJ/Somerville[FDU-Florham]) scored three goals and Elena Bontatibus (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury) and Carrington each scored twice during a 7-1 run that gave the Broncs a 16-7 lead and Rider would lead 16-8 entering the fourth.
 
The Broncs would answer each of the Red Flash first three goals in the fourth to lead 19-11 late in the quarter when Saint Francis scored twice down the stretch to produce the final score.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We came out firing, which is exciting to see. Sometimes that's the hardest thing to do. The second quarter, fourth quarter was a little sloppy here and there, but with a smaller team, younger team, those are the things we work on and talk about each step."
 
"In women's lacrosse the draw is everything. We have two All-Americans on the circle, and they are both obviously showing what they are capable of doing. Offensively, I think they are starting to click and understand the movements of everybody. It's going to get even better and hopefully we can continue it for all four quarters."
– Head coach Evan Mager
 
"It's just a game again. It's a game I want to play and I love and that's what I do out here. There's going to be tougher games and I'm going to have to work tougher, but without my teammates, I wouldn't be successful without them." – Redshirt-Sophomore Midfielder Katie Walsh
 
"It was just us being able to know each other's likes and strengths. We catered our offense to that and it created those opportunities. I came here for the opportunity [to be on the first ever team at Rider], and capitalizing on it and being able to show we can compete every single time we come on the field has just been immaculate." – Junior Attack Selena Carrington
 
- Today's game was the first home game in program history after Rider announced the sport would be sponsored on a varsity level in August of 2023.
- Walsh's five goals keeps her atop the conference at 5.0 goals per game and second in total goals scored with 10.
- Jamie Kubach (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter[FDU-Florham]) made the start in goal and played all 60 minutes, making eight saves to earn the victory.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider held a 39-29 advantage in shots and 32-21 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Broncs held a 23-19 edge in ground balls led by four each from Walsh, Kubach, and Danika Sedivy (Centennial, CO/Heritage[St. Bonaventure]).
- Rider won the draw circle 24-11 with Walsh leading the way with 10 individually. Devlin added six and Hayley Henderson (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) had five.
- Sedivy had three caused turnovers to lead the defensive effort in the win.
 
Up Next
- Rider returns to action Saturday when the Broncs host Central Connecticut State University at 4 p.m.