ERIE, PA – The Rider University field hockey team continued its strong play, winning its third-straight game, defeating Mercyhurst, 5-1, Friday afternoon. The Broncs improve to 4-5 on the season and 3-1 in NEC play. The Lakers fall to 0-8 on the year, including 0-4 in league games.
 
Just over five minutes into the game, the Broncs took advantage of a sudden change situation with Anna Finn (Windsor, NY/Windsor Central) finding Semra Said (Mannheim, Germany/Feudenheim Gymnasium Mannheim) for the game's first goal.
 
Less than a minute into the second quarter, the Broncs struck again. Ang Borisow (Harleysville, PA/Souderton) saw her initial shot on the penalty corner get saved, but the rebound found Valeria Perales (Madrid, Spain/IES Mirasierra), who made a nifty move to find the back of the cage and extend the lead, where it would remain through the rest of the first half.
 
In the third quarter, the Rider offense exploded. Just over a minute into the frame, Said took a shot that was saved, but the rebound made its way to the stick of Amanda Walker (Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central), who calmly scored to extend the lead to 3-0. Minutes later, the Broncs took advantage of a penalty corner when Borisow made the insert to Finn, who ripped a shot from the top of the circle that found the back of the cage. The barrage continued on another penalty corner. Emma Bonshak (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) got the ball in the middle of the circle and saw her initial shot get saved, but she was able to push the rebound to Perales who was able to score in the now-empty net.
 
With two minutes remaining, the Lakers were able to break through on the penalty corner, breaking up the Rider shutout and producing the final score.
 
Quotes & Notes
- Rider's lead in the all-time series extends to 2-0.
- Jade Regnart (Cape Town, South Africa/Fairmont) made the start in net, playing 45 minutes and making three saves without allowing a goal to earn the win.
- Sarah Fitzpatrick (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) played the final 15 minutes in net, making her first collegiate save.
- Kate Mahmud (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown West), Megan Normile (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt), Finn, and Bonshak each played all 60 minutes in the field.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider outshot Mercyhurst, 28-6, including a 24-5 edge in shots on goal.
- The Broncs earned 11 corners in the game, to seven for the Lakers.
- Perales' goals give her six on the season and 44 for her career, moving her past Julia Divorra '22 and into a tie with Virginia Egusquiza '12 for seventh on Rider's career goals scored list. Her 104 career points scored moves her into 10^th in program history
- Said's goal is her second of the season and 15^th of her career.
- Walker's goal is her first of the season and third of her career.
- Finn's goal gives her five on the season and six in her career.
 
Up Next
Rider remains on the road to play La Salle Sunday at 1 p.m.