Rider Defeats Siena 2-1 on a Late Goal in Women's Soccer First Round
MAAC Sports
Lawrenceville, N.J. – No. 4 seed Rider University defeated No. 5 seed Siena College 2-1 from a late goal in the first round of the 2014 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship at Ben Cohen Field on the campus of Rider University.
In a rematch of a game that ended in a 0-0 tie exactly one week ago on October 25, both teams managed to find the net in this first round meeting. In the opening half, both teams were evenly matched throughout the half with defense controlling the pace. At the 29 minute mark Rider’s Ellie Smith scored on a header from teammate Alanna McDougall to give the Broncs a 1-0 lead. Both defenses had strong outings with Rider finishing the first half with two shots on goal while Siena registered only one.
The second half saw more offensive action than the first with back and forth possessions between both teams. After only recording just one shot in the first half, Siena out shot Rider 8-6 in a wild second half. With the score remaining 1-0 late in the half, Siena’s Kirby O’Keefe scored the equalizer on an assist from Tara Sobierajski at the 86 minute mark of the match to even the score at 1-1. Just minutes later and with less than two minutes remaining in the match, Rider’s Smith scored her second goal of the night on an assists from Victoria Maley at the 88 minute mark for the game-winning goal and an exciting finish to a great match between Rider and Siena.
On the night, Rider’s goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard made four saves, while Siena’s keeper Taylor Booth made two stops in goal. Smith paced the offensive attack for Rider with three shots on goal and Siena’s offense was led by Maria Jones who also registered three shots on goal.
Rider University improves to 11-5-2 and earns a spot in the championship semifinal against top seed and host Monmouth University next Friday, November 7 at 7pm. The winner of the 2014 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship will earn the MAAC's automatic bid to the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship.