NEW YORK, NY – The Rider University women's lacrosse team was topped Wednesday afternoon at Columbia, 19-4. The Broncs fall to 1-8 on the season, while the Lions improve to 6-2.
 
The Broncs got on the board first when Hannah Kozik (Ellington, CT/Ellington) found Maggie Hance (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) to put the Broncs on top just 29 seconds into the game. After the Lions tied it a minute later, it took just 26 seconds for the Broncs to strike again. Brynn Merklinger (Mendham, NJ/Mount Saint Mary Academy) found the back of the cage to put Rider back on top 2-1. Columbia countered with six-straight goals before Madi Mooney (Vista, CA/San Marcos) stopped the bleeding, trimming the deficit to 7-3 after the opening quarter.
 
Columbia would extend the lead to 10-3 at the half, 15-4 after the third quarter, and 19-4 to close out the game.
 
Quotes & Notes
- Wednesday's game was the first-ever between the two programs.
- Jamie Kubach (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter[FDU-Florham]) got the start in net, playing 45 minutes and making six saves, taking the loss.
- Avery May (Aurora, CO/Grandview) played the final 15 minutes, making a pair of saves.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Columbia outshot Rider 38-22, including a 26-11 edge in shots on goal.
- The Lions held a 17-8 edge in draw controls. Marissa Ross (Reisterstown, MD/Beth Tfiloh[FDU-Florham]) led the Broncs with four draw controls.
- Ally Basile (Sea Cliff, NY/North Shore), Marybeth Smith (Macungie, PA/Emmaus[La Salle]), Erin Collins (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan), and Hannah Kozik (Ellington, CT/Ellington) each had three ground balls to pace the Broncs.
 
Up Next
Rider is off until March 21 when the Broncs visit Marist to open MAAC play at 1 p.m.