Rider Advances to MAAC Field Hockey Championship
MAAC Sports
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Number two seed Rider University defeated number three seed Quinnipiac University, 3-1, in the first semifinal of the 2014 MAAC Field Hockey Championship, held at So Sweet A Cat Field on the campus of Monmouth University.
Rider jumped out to a quick lead after the Broncs’ Kesheal Henderson scored her first goal of the year unassisted off a turnover just under two minutes into the match. The Broncs’ got on the scoreboard again in the first half on a goal by All-MAAC second team freshman Allison Baligian at the 6:01 mark. Baligian received a cross in front from fellow forward Laura McCormick and put a shot in on the near side. In the second half, Quinnipiac was able to score a late goal off the stick of Angie King on a corner with the assist coming from All-MAAC second team midfielder Lea Dietrichs to make the score 2-1. With just under four minutes remaining in the contest, Rider’s All-MAAC second team defender Melyssa Alonso scored off a loose ball from a corner that was assisted from All-MAAC first team member Dezarae Fillmyer for the insurance score.
Rider goalkeeper Joelle Prettyman made nine saves, while Quinnipiac goalkeeper Megan Conaboy had four saves. Both players were named Co-Goalkeepers of the Year at last night’s awards banquet.
The team’s controlled even possession through much of the match, with the Bobcat’s outshooting the Broncs’ 23-13. Rider was able to put eight shots on goal to Quinnipiac’s ten. The Broncs, now 11-8, advance to the title game for the 12th time in 15 years under head coach Lori Hussong and will face off against the winner of the second semifinal between top-seed Monmouth and fourth seed Sacred Heart, set for 1:30pm this afternoon. The championship game will be broadcast live on MAAC.TV on Sunday, November 9 at 11am.
Quinnipiac concluded its season at 8-11 overall.
Visit maacsports.com, and for all updates on field hockey, and follow the conversation on twitter using the hashtag #MAACFH.