FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2000

RIDER AND QUINNIPIAC ADVANCE TO NORTHEAST CONFERENCE FINAL

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Rider and Quinnipiac were victorious Saturday in semifinal action of the Northeast Conference Field Hockey Tournament at the Monmouth University Field Hockey Park.

Rider toppled top-seeded Monmouth in the opening game, 1-0. Quinnipiac, the No. 2 seed, defeated Sacred Heart 2-1.

The Rider-Monmouth game appeared to be headed to overtime, but the Broncs’ Janette Freeburg tallied the lone goal of the contest with 1:13 remaining in regulation to give No. 4-seeded Rider an upset over the Hawks. Rider’s Jen Cushinotto made four saves in goal for the Broncs to pick up the shutout.

The first half was fairly defensive-minded as the teams combined for just five shots on goal. Rider outshot Monmouth 10-9 in the contest and avenged its two previous losses to Monmouth this season.

Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart also played a low-key first half, before the Braves exploded with a pair of second-half goals with 23:21 and 16:54 remaining, respectively. Amy Hollister put Quinnipiac on the board first on an assist from Courtney Ryan. Less than seven minutes later, Julie Smith scored an unassisted goal to give Quinnipiac a 2-0 lead. Kristen Lee cut the lead in half with 13:21 left in the game, but the Pioneers could draw no closer.

Sarah Mathers made four saves in goal for Quinnipiac to pick up the victory. Sacred Heart’s Ginny Capicchinni made 10 saves in the game.

Rider and Quinnipiac meet Sunday at 2 p.m. in the NEC Championship game at the MU Field Hockey Park.

SCORING SUMMARY
   1 2  Final
Rider (9-11)  0 1 - 1
Monmouth (11-9) 0 0 - 0

RU 2 1:13 Janet Freeburg (unassisted)

Shots: RU – 10, MU – 9.
Goalkeepers: RU – Cushinotto – 70 minutes, 4 saves, 0 goals; MU – Urbanowicz – 70 minutes, 3 saves, 1 goal.
Penalty corners:  RU – 11, MU – 8.

   1 2  Final
Sacred Heart (6-13)  0 1 - 1
Quinnipiac (9-10)  0 2 - 2

QU 2 23:21 Amy Hollister (Courtney Ryan)
QU 2 16:54 Julie Smith (unassisted)
SH 2 13:21 Kristen Lee (unassisted)

Shots: SH – 7, QU – 12.
Goalkeepers: SH – Cushinotto – 70 minutes, 10 saves, 2 goals; QU – Mathers – 70 minutes, 4 saves, 1 goal.
Penalty Corners: SH – 6, QU – 13.