LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's lacrosse team survived a tight contest Wednesday at Manhattan, winning 14-13. The Broncs improve to 6-9 on the season, and 2-5 in MAAC play. The Jaspers fall to 2-13 overall and 1-6 in league contests.
 
Both sides were swapping runs early with Anna Devlin (Marmora, NJ/Ocean City[TCNJ]) and Katie Walsh (Marlton, NJ/Camden Catholic[FDU-Florham]) scoring early for the Broncs. Rider then went on a 3-1 run with Walsh and Devlin scoring, along with Elizabeth Shean (Seal Beach, CA/Los Alamitos) helping Rider build a 5-3 advantage, but two goals by the Jaspers would tie the game at 5-5 after the first.
 
In the second, both sides scored three times. Rider was led in the frame by a pair of goals from Selena Carrington (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North [Rutgers]) as the game went to the half tied 8-8.
 
Shean would complete the hat trick in the third with Addy Haines (New Albany, OH/Gahanna Lincoln) scoring to make it 11-11 late in the third, but the Jaspers would find a tally in the final minute of the quarter would give Manhattan a 12-11 edge with 15 minutes to play.
 
Elena Bontatibus (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury) made a slick dodge and scored to tie the game before Carrington would find the back of the net to give Rider the lead at 13-12 with 8:55 to play. Bontatibus would add a crucial insurance goal, as the Jaspers scored with 55 seconds remaining, but the Broncs forced a Manhattan turnover in the final 15 seconds before running out the clock to preserve the win.
 
Quotes & Notes
"Very happy about the win and that we have stayed alive, giving ourselves a shot for a playoff berth. What occurs is in our hands. Manhattan battled and we needed to play better, but at the end of the day, we got the job done and are going home with a win, which has been tough on the road for us. Addy Haines scored a crucial goal for us, her first of the season, and Avery stepped up in goal making huge saves for us in the third and fourth quarters to help us secure the win. I'm very proud of our younger players for staying focused and hungry." – Head Coach Evan Mager
 
- The Broncs extend their lead in the all-time series to 2-0.
- Jamie Kubach (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter[FDU-Florham]) got the start in net, playing 41 minutes, making five saves.
- Avery May (Aurora, CO/Grandview) played the final 19 minutes, making four saves and allowing just two goals to earn the win.
- Bontatibus recorded her third hat trick of the season and fifth of her career, scoring three times in the game.
- Carrington added three goals for her seventh hat trick of the year and 14^th as a Bronc.
- Shean scored three times to post the third hat trick of her freshman campaign.
- Haines' goal was the first of her collegiate career.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider finished with a 30-27 advantage in shots, with Rider holding a 27-22 edge in shots on goal.
- Both teams scooped 19 ground balls. Carrington and Marybeth Smith (Macungie, PA/Emmaus [La Salle]) led Rider with four.
- Rider claimed a 20-11 edge in draw controls. Marissa Ross (Reisterstown, MD/Beth Tfiloh[FDU-Florham]) had eight to lead the Broncs. Walsh and Devlin each added five.
 
Up Next
Rider returns home to play Quinnipiac Saturday. Game time is set for 1 p.m.