FAIRFIELD, CT – Three first-half goals proved too much to overcome as the Rider women's soccer team (2-5-3, 0-3-1 MAAC) fell to Sacred Heart (4-5-1, 3-2-0 MAAC), 4-0, on Saturday night.
The Broncs nearly opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Valgerður Sigurjónsdóttir fired a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that slipped through the keeper's hands before being cleared off the line.
Rider threatened again in the 25th minute as
Aysu Unver one-timed a ball off a corner, forcing a leaping save.
The Pioneers capitalized in the 23rd minute when Morgan Bovardi headed in a corner to put the hosts in front.
Shea Kelleher doubled the lead in the 34th minute before Bovardi tallied her second of the match off a feed from Gabriella Baiada in the 39th, giving Sacred Heart a 3-0 advantage at the half.
Kelleher added her second goal five minutes into the second half to extend the margin to 4-0.
Rider continued to push for a breakthrough, with
Ava Ferrie's shot in the 64th minute narrowly missing wide and
Annie Small's strike in the 72nd minute rattling the crossbar, but the Broncs were unable to convert.
Quotes and Notes
"Tough opponent, tough environment, and some challenging moments. Moments, goals, and officiating decisions change games. This game makes you question many things. Overall, we were the second-best team tonight."
- Rider Head Coach Drayson Hounsome
- The Broncs are now 1-2-2 against Sacred Heart in all-time series history.
- Moore,
Ella Baumgardt, and
Bethie Morgan were the lone Broncs to play the full 90 minutes.
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Ashley Moore racked up a career high nine saves.
Broncs by the Numbers
- The Pioneers outshot the Broncs 25-8, including a 13-6 advantage on goal.
- Rider earned five corners to Sacred Heart's eight.
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Ava Ferrie led the Broncs with two shots in the match.
- Unver,
Tess Ferrie,
Lauren Black, Sigurjónsdóttir,
Mia Grgicevich, and Small each recorded on a shot.
Up Next
Rider continues its road swing at Mount St. Mary's on Oct. 1.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+
