Nov. 2, 2007

Lock Haven, PA - Rider University (11-8, 6-1 NEC) topped Sacred Heart University (8-11, 4-3 NEC) 3-1 in their Northeast Conference (NEC) semifinal Friday afternoon giving the Broncs a chance to play for the NEC Championship.

Rider will face off against host Lock Haven University in tomorrow's championship, which is set for 1 p.m. LHU is the defending champions and won this year's regular season title.

It didn't take long for Rider to take control of their semifinal match up as they went up 1-0 in the just the seventh minute of play off a goal from senior forward Stephanie Walker (Lyman, ME/Massabesic).

Walker knocked home a ball from in front of Sacred Heart goalkeeper Kristen McIntire (Avon, CT/Avon) who got the start in the cage. The junior made one save in net for SHU in just over 18 minutes of action.

Walker's goal was the only tally of the first half as Rider took the 1-0 lead into the break after the opening 35 minutes of play.

Sacred Heart wasn't done by any means and in the 48th minute they tied the contest at 1-1.

Carisa Eye (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown) strike gave the Pioneers new hope. The junior forward found a loose ball off a rebound and tucked it home.

Rider regained the lead in the 55th minute as rookie Amanda Barretta (Roseland, NJ/West Essex) put the Broncs up 2-1.

With just over five minutes to play Rider got another goal putting them up 3-1 and all but insuring them off a trip to the championship game.

This time it was junior Tricia Crotty (Lewistown, PA/Indian Valley) finding the back of the cage off a Erin McGinniss (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny Regional) pass.

Rider goalie Jennifer LoCrasto (Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) made two saves in the win.

Whitney Mills (Harrisburg, PA/Susquehanna Township) played over 50 minutes in the cage for Sacred Heart and recorded one save.

The Pioneers close out the season 8-11 overall.