LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's lacrosse team was defeated in a defensive battle Saturday afternoon, falling to Sacred Heart 6-4. The Broncs fall to 1-15 on the season and 0-7 in MAAC play, while the Pioneers improve to 5-9 on the year and 4-3 in league games.
 
Sacred Heart started the game strong, scoring twice in the first 3:20 of the contest. Both defenses would settle in with neither side allowing a goal for nearly 21 minutes when Madi Mooney (Vista, CA/San Marcos) and Marissa Ross (Reisterstown, MD/Beth Tfiloh[FDU-Florham]) scored back-to-back goals to send the Broncs into the break tied 2-2.
 
After the Pioneers scored in the opening minute of the third, Maggie Hance (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) tied the game again at three, where it remained entering the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Sacred Heart made the game's decisive run, scoring three-straight goals, and Mooney's second of the game would be too late for a comeback effort.
 
Quotes & Notes
"It was a fun game, a really good defensive battle, and that's our stronger side of the ball. Jamie came up with a bunch of big saves in some big moments. However, it's tough to be in such a close game and be down a player for as long as we were. When you have a player that is playing as well as number 21 was today for them, we prepared as best we could and Grace did a fabulous job containing her, and even the other defenders stepping up when they needed to. The defense today was the best unit we've put on the field this season."
 
"This senior class is really special, and I'm so grateful for them. Even without being here from the beginning, I've seen their growth this season, and seeing them from when I got here to today, I'm so proud of them and thankful for that. They set the standard for the culture of the program and the future is bright for Rider women's lacrosse because of them." – Head Coach Paige Frye
 
- Sacred Heart extends its lead in the all-time series to 2-0.
- Prior to the game, the team honored its graduating team members, Hance, Alexis Hamilton (Temecula, CA/Murrieta Mesa[Longwood]), Marybeth Smith (Macungie, PA/Emmaus), Erin Collins (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan), Annabelle Niebuhr (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional), Danika Sedivy (Centennial, CO/Heritage[St. Bonaventure]), Hayley Henderson (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.[High Point]), and Kayleigh Colleary (Buffalo, NY/Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart[Butler]).
- Jamie Kubach (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter[FDU-Florham]) got the start in net, playing all 60 minutes and making a career-high 15 saves, taking the loss.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Sacred Heart outshot Rider 30-20, including a 21-12 edge in shots on goal.
- The Broncs held a 7-5 edge in draw controls. Ross led the Broncs individually with four draw controls.
- Collins added a team-high five ground balls with Hannah Kozik (Ellington, CT/Ellington) and Grace Fracesconi (Berlin, NJ/Eastern Regional) each adding three.
- Collins, Henderson, and Kozik each led the Broncs, causing a pair of turnovers.
 
Up Next
Rider returns to action next Saturday, closing out the season at Canisius.