PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Rider University field hockey team was defeated Friday afternoon in its home opener, 4-3, in overtime to Stonehill. The Broncs drop to 1-4 on the season, while the Skyhawks improve to 1-5. The game was the NEC opener for both teams.
 
Just over six minutes into the contest, the Broncs broke through first. Valeria Perales' (Madrid, Spain/IES Mirasierra) made the insert on a corner to Megan Normile (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt). Normile then ripped a shot from the top of the circle that Perales deflected into the back of the cage.
 
Early in the second, it was an individual effort from Perales driving down the right side before cutting back into the middle before beating the goalie one-on-one to extend the lead to 2-0.
 
Once again, the Broncs struggled in the third quarter, allowing the Skyhawks to put together three unanswered goals to go ahead 3-2.
 
Rider was able to find a response in the fourth. Amanda Walker () made a great individual play driving past a pair of defenders before getting one-on-one with the goalie and drawing a penalty stroke. Normile took the stroke for the Broncs, converting to tie the game with just 6:20 to play, where the game would remain into the extra session.
 
With five and a half minutes remaining in the extra session, Stonehill took advantage of a transition opportunity, scoring on a perfectly place reverse chip that tucked just inside the far post.
 
Quotes & Notes
"This is now the fourth or fifth game where we've played really good for quarters one and two, and something goes drastically wrong in the third. We can't quite put or finger on what it is, but there's a lack of focus and mental toughness."
 
"Val is a really great player, she just has a knack with the ball, really tight stick skills. She's a forward, but she wants to play end line to end line, which is tough to do, but it was really good to see her get going today."
 
"The turnaround is quick, because it's a completely new ballgame on Sunday against a good Towson team." – Head Coach Gina Carey-Smith
 
- Stonehill ties the all-time series at 2-2.
- The Broncs are 0-2 this season in overtime contests.
- Jade Regnart (Cape Town, South Africa/Fairmont) made the start in net, playing all 65 minutes and making four saves.
- Kate Mahmud (Harleysville, PA/Souderton), Normile, Anna Finn (Windsor, NY/Windsor Central), and Emma Bonshak (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) played all 65 minutes in the field for the Broncs.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Stonehill outshot Rider 10-9, including an 8-6 edge in shots on goal.
- The Skyhawks earned seven corners in the game, to just six for the Broncs.
- Perales' goals are her first two of the season, and giving her 30 now in her career.
 
Up Next
Rider is back in action next Sunday as the Broncs visit Towson for a noon start.