LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's lacrosse team opened the season with an emphatic victory Friday afternoon, topping FDU 18-7 on Ben Cohen Field. The Broncs start 1-0 for the second time in as many seasons as a program.
 
For the second-straight season, Selena Carrington (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North[Rutgers]) got the Broncs on the board first. The Knights quickly countered with a goal of the own before Rider went on a 9-0 run to close out the opening half, led by four goals from Katie Walsh (Marlton, NJ/Camden Catholic[FDU-Florham]) and two goals by Anna Devlin (Marmora, NJ/Ocean City[TCNJ]).
 
After the Knights finally snapped the scoring drought in the third to make t 10-2, Rider appeared to put the game way with goals from Walsh, Carrington, and Maggie Hance (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) to go up 13-2, but FDU answered with a 4-0 run. Leading 14-7 midway through the fourth, the Broncs closed out the game on a 4-0 run with goals from Elizabeth Shean (Seal Beach, CA/Los Alamitos), Devlin, Elena Bontatibus (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury), and Walsh to secure the win.
 
Quotes & Notes
"You always want to start off strong. At the end of the day, we still have a lot of work to do. We have a lot of younger players, but we do have a lot of returners. We have depth, but today is a good starting point to show our ability." – Head Coach Evan Mager
 
"It feels great being back, especially with this team. The fall was a little bit difficult because there's 15 freshmen coming in, but we have a lot of returners as well. When people come off the bench, they have a key aspect coming on, and we know how they play." – Junior Attack Katie Walsh
 
"Hayley coming in, she did a great job. Felt like last year pulling to my side. I like to work hard on the circle, because I know it benefits our team and helps the defense too. We lean on each other. After goals, any chance we get to bring it in. It really helped us get our mojo back a little bit." – Graduate Student Attack Anna Devlin
 
- Rider moves to 2-0 in the all-time series over FDU.
- Jamie Kubach (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter[FDU-Florham]) made the start in net, played 30 minutes and allowed just a singe goal while making a save to earn the win.
- Avery May (Aurora, CO/Grandview) played 30 minutes in goal off the bench, finishing with a pair of saves.
- Walsh tied a program record with her six goals. It is her first hat trick of the season and eighth of her Rider career.
- Carrington had her first hat trick of the season and eighth in her Rider career.
- Devlin recorded her first hat trick of the season and second as a Bronc.
- Ava Carpinteri (Middletown, DE/Hillgrove), Kayleigh Colleary (Buffalo, NY/Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart[Butler]), Kayla Vazquez (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Blue Point), Madison Rothwein (Mount Royal, NJ/Kingsway Regional), Hannah Kozik (Ellington, CT/Ellington), May, Shean, Grace Francesconi (Berlin, NJ/Eastern Regional), and Brynn Merklinger (Mendham, NJ/Mount Saint Mary Academy) all made their debuts in a Rider uniform.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider held a 40-12 advantage in shots, including a 26-10 edge in shots on goal.
- The Broncs held a 19-18 edge in ground balls. Devlin led Rider with four. Walsh, Hayley Henderson (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.), and Vazquez each had two.
- Rider won the draw circle 17-9. Devlin had nine with Walsh and Rothwein each snagging two.
- Devlin had a team-high four caused turnovers. Marybeth Smith (Macungie, PA/Emmaus[La Salle]), Erin Collins (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan), and Danika Sedivy (Centennial, CO/Heritage[St. Bonaventure]) each had two.
 
Up Next
Rider hits the road Wednesday for a game at Temple. First draw is scheduled for 3 p.m.