NEW HAVEN, CT – The Rider University field hockey team jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead, and held on for a 4-1 victory Friday afternoon over New Haven. The Broncs improve to 2-7 on the season, and 2-0 in NEC play, while the Chargers fall to 1-6 overall and 0-1 in NEC play.
The Broncs got on the board less than five minutes into the game when
Ryleigh Damminger (Paulsboro, NJ/GCIT) split two defenders, made an entry into the circle and fired a reverse shot that made its way to the back of the cage.
In the second, it was Damminger again, weaving through a pair of Charger defenders to get the ball to the left side of the circle, where Damminger again beat the goalie to extend the lead to 2-0. Just over two minutes later, the Broncs drew a penalty corner.
Ella Lewis (West Chester, PA/Downingtown West) made the insert to
Emma Bonshak (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall). Bonshak ripped a shot that
Liv Cox (Conestoga, PA/Penn Manor) deflected toward the cage where Lewis on the back post got a stick on the ball to direct it past the goal line, giving the Broncs the 3-0 lead they would take to the half.
Following a scoreless third quarter, New Haven finally broke through with a goal early in the fourth. Rider would have a response as
Hailey Hoffman made an entry on the right side of the circle where she fired a centering pass that Cox deflected into the back of the cage to produce the final score.
Quotes & Notes
"The girls played really good today. We created some really nice corners and worked hard to finish the play. We are very happy with another NEC win, and we're taking each contest one game at a time."
– Head Coach Gina Carey-Smith
- Rider's lead in the all-time series is extended to 2-0.
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Jade Regnart (Cape Town, South Africa/Fairmont) made the start in net, playing 45 minutes and making five saves without allowing a goal, before being pulled
Sarah Fitzpatrick (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) who made a save in 15 minutes of action.
Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider outshot New Haven 17-12, including a 9-7 edge in shots on goal.
- The Broncs and Chargers each earned eight corners.
- Damminger's goals give her three on the season and four for her career.
- Lewis' goal was the first of her career.
- Cox's goal was her second of the season and fourth of her career.
Up Next
Rider remains on the road Sunday, visiting Quinnipiac for a 1 p.m. contest.
