LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's lacrosse team saw its season come to an end Sunday afternoon, falling to Canisius, 16-10. The Broncs end their inaugural season at 8-9 overall and 2-7 in league games. The Golden Griffins improve to 11-6 on the year and 4-5 in MAAC contests.
 
The Broncs opened the game with Kylee Garcia (Neshanic Station, NJ/Somerville[FDU-Florham]) finding Elena Bontatibus (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury) followed by Anna Devlin (Marmora, NJ/Ocean City[TCNJ]) scoring on a free-position shot, and finally Devlin hitting Bontatibus with a feed to put the Broncs on top 3-0 less than five minutes into the game.
 
The Golden Griffins then caught fire, going on a 10-0 run that would extend into the third quarter.
 
After over 30 minutes of game action, Toni Gismondi (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford[VCU]) broke the scoreless drought to make it 10-4. Trailing 12-4 late in the third quarter, Emily Wesoky (Sterling, VA/Dominion[Wagner]) found the back of the cage to make it 12-5 with 15 minutes remaining.
 
Trailing 13-5, Selena Carrington (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North[Rutgers]) and Katie Walsh (Marlton, NJ/Camden Catholic[FDU-Florham]) both scored to help trim the deficit. Down 15-7, Garcia, Wesoky, and Gismondi would all score as the Broncs closed out the game on a 3-1 run to produce the final score.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We started off strong, but they called a timeout and made the adjustment. We knew the adjustment was coming, we just couldn't put things together, especially in that second quarter. The most positive thing about today was the draw. Anna did really well and Hayley put her in a position to do that."
 
"The [graduating class] gave us a shot. Some people say you gave them a shot to come here. They gave us a shot. We were a brand new program. We needed leadership, we needed foundation. Kylee only had Division III experience, and Kylee is our leading scorer. I'm proud that she proved she can play at this level. Emily gave us experience coming from an NEC school with a large roster and history of success. Gaby overall, not having a lot of success, and wanting to finish off on a different note. I hope we gave that to her. I appreciate them giving us the opportunity as a brand new program to help set the foundation for our team." – Head Coach Evan Mager
 
- Prior to the game, the team honored its three graduating members, Garcia, Wesoky, and Gaby Melendez (Victor, NY/Victor[Canisius/CCSU])
- Jamie Kubach (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter[FDU-Florham]) made the start in net, making six saves, taking the loss.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Both teams finished with 26 shots, but the Golden Griffins held a 23-18 edge in shots on goal.
- Rider held a 13-12 edge in ground balls. Melendez and Marybeth Smith (Macungie, PA/Emmaus[La Salle]) led the Broncs with three each in the game.
- The Broncs won the draw circle 18-11. Devlin led the way with a program-record 12 in the contest.