Broncs bounce back, take one of two games

By Kadie DiGiuseppe

Following two close losses last week, Rider field hockey dropped another tough game against Monmouth on Sept. 13, but regained its ground at Georgetown, walking away with the 3-2 victory on Sept. 15 and bringing their record to 3-3. 

On the road again

The Broncs traveled to West Long Branch, New Jersey, for a match up against the Hawks on Sept. 13, but they were shut out for the first time this season. 

Junior forward Valeria Perales created a chance early for the Broncs, giving them the first corner of the game within the opening three minutes.

Soon after, the Hawks were aggressive and traveled down the field to put their first goal in the net.

Freshman goalkeeper Jade Regnart was able to save three shots from the Hawks in the first quarter and the Broncs were looking to tie the game up going into the second.

The Broncs’ offense was able to get three corners and three shots on goal before halftime, but none got by the Monmouth goalkeeper while the Hawks scored their second goal to go up 2-0. 

Monmouth scored two more goals in the beginning of the third quarter, but Rider still initiated five more corners before the end of the third in an attempt to catch up. 

With 10 minutes left in the game, the Hawks scored their last goal, which brought the score to 5-0. 

The Broncs finished the game with 12 shots and 12 corners while Regnart finished with eight saves. 

Back in the groove

The Broncs hit the road again on Sept. 15 to play Georgetown in Towson, Maryland, and they walked away with their first win since Sept. 1. 

Rider started the game with a chip on its shoulder and proved it wanted to bounce back after six shots and one corner in the first five minutes. 

Freshman forward and Northeast Conference rookie of the week Olivia Machiavelli contributed half of those shots. 

Senior midfielder Lyric Scott was the first one to reach the back of the net for the Broncs, claiming her second goal of the season. 

Georgetown returned the favor with a goal less than 30 seconds later, tying the game at one a piece. 

The Bulldogs controlled possession for most of the second quarter but could not break through the Broncs’ defense. 

To start the second half, Machiavelli scored her fourth goal of the season giving the Broncs the lead once again.

Junior forward Semra Said joined the party to score her first goal of the season later in the third, giving Rider a 3-1 lead. 

The Broncs continued to dominate on offense with six more shots in the beginning of the fourth. The Bulldog offense managed to score its second goal during the last minute of play, but Georgetown was unable to catch up before the final whistle.

Rider got 21 shots off in the affair while Regnart and sophomore goalkeeper Moira Geiger totaled for four saves. 

The Broncs will be headed to Lock Haven on Sept. 22 at 12 p.m.