TEANECK, NJ – The Rider University women's lacrosse team opened the 2026 season with a victory Friday afternoon in the first game under head coach Paige Frye, topping FDU 12-8 in the season opener for both teams. The Broncs start 1-0 for the third time in as many seasons as a program.
 
FDU got on the board first, but the Broncs quickly countered with four-straight goals, led by two and an assist from Kayleigh Colleary (Buffalo, NY/Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart[Butler]). The Broncs would lead 4-3 after the opening 15 minutes of play.
 
In the second, Hannah Kozik (Ellington, CT/Ellington) was strong offensively scoring twice to give her four goals in the opening half as the Broncs opened up a three-goal lead at the break, 7-4.
 
FDU would trim the lead in the third quarter to 8-6, then get within a goal at 8-7 just 15 seconds into the fourth, but Marybeth Smith (Macungie, PA/Emmaus[La Salle]) found Maggie Hance (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) to extend the lead back to two and the Broncs would continue to extend the lead producing the final score.
 
Quotes & Notes
"This was a big confidense boosting win for us. We have a good number of players in heightened roles this season that were able to step up and get us a win. We still have a lot to work on, but I'm excited for what is to come." - Head Coach Paige Frye

- Rider moves to 3-0 in the all-time series over FDU.
- Jamie Kubach (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter[FDU-Florham]) and Avery May (Aurora, CO/Grandview) split time in goal in the season-opening win. Kubach got the start and made five saves to earn the win, with May adding a pair of saves in the second half.
- Kozik tied a program record with her six-goal performance after not recording a single point in her freshman campaign last year.
- Colleary recorded her first career hat trick as a Bronc.
- Ally Basile (Sea Cliff, NY/North Shore), Emma Devine (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West), and Madi Mooney (Vista, CA/San Marcos) made their Rider debuts in the contest.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Hance, Smith, and Taylor Satoro (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) each scored once for the Broncs.
- Both teams had 11 draw controls in the game. Marissa Ross (Reisterstwon, MD/Beth Tfiloh[FDU-Florham]) led the Broncs with seven in the contest.
- Erin Collins (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) led Rider with three caused turnovers.
- Kozik added a team-high four ground balls in the contest.
 
Up Next
Rider returns home Feb. 14 when the Broncs host Rhode Island at 4 p.m. as part of Rider's celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration.