Defending on their Turf
Despite praise Field Hockey focuses on ultimate goal

By Eamon Ducey

Pumpkins are placed on porches, leaves change colors and Rider’s field hockey plays in the Northeast Conference (NEC) championship game.

The reigning champions of NEC, Rider has played in every championship game since 2000 and hosted the last two NEC tournaments.

“It would be nice to be home in front our fans for another couple games,” said senior Courtney Bertos.

The Broncs knew that they controlled their own destiny as pertaining to hosting the play-offs. A win against a respected rival, Quinnipiac, would lock up home field advantage for the post season.

“It is always a tough game when we play them,” Head Coach Hussong said. “A lot was riding on this game.”

Sunday, Oct. 23, was Senior Day. The Broncs were led on defense by senior Victoria Barrington. Rider only allowed one shot in the first half.

“All the seniors played well, especially Victoria Barrington,” Hussong said. “She made some great plays on defense.”

Rider was shut out in the first half, but three minutes into the second half, freshman Tricia Crotty found the back of the cage for the ninth time this season when she scored on a put back.

“Today was going to affect our seeding,” said Bertos. “We knew that it wasn’t going to come down to skill. It was going to come down to heart.”

Rider got a break when the referees abstracted a goal from Quinnipiac that they originally ruled a goal. Hussong halted the game and successfully argued her point.

Bertos overcame her Senior Day sentiment when she scored her sixth goal of the season to give Rider a two-goal lead with five minutes remaining.

“There were lots of emotions, [since it was] Senior Day,” Bertos said.

This confirmed that Rider would host the NEC tournament and that they would have a home field advantage. If Rider lost, there was a good chance Quinnipiac would be the host team next weekend.

Rider had some work left in order to have a share of the NEC regular season title. It played Monmouth on Tuesday and won 1-0.

Junior goalkeeper Krysta Bearish posted another shutout. She now has eight shutouts this season.

“It is a huge advantage to host the tournament, because we can play on grass and the other teams are coming from artificial turf,” Hussong said.

The NEC recognized two Broncs for the week of Oct. 17- Oct. 23. Sophomore Stephanie Walker, who leads the team with 14 goals, was named the NEC Player of the Week. Crotty was named NEC Rookie of the Week.

Thursday, Oct. 27, The NEC announced the regular season awards. Hussong was named Coach of the Year for the second time in three years. Bertos and Walker were named to the First Team All-NEC. Crotty and senior Ally Hunter were named to the second team.

Rider plays Fairfield today, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. If it successful they will face the winner of Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart on Saturday at 12 p.m. The Broncs have beaten the field of competitors by a score 9-0. Rider still respects the tournament format.

“Any team can win the tournament in single elimination format,” Hussong said.