College Field Hockey Rider's Pisani NEC Player of the Week
LAWRENCEVILLE--For the second time this season, sophomore Megan Pisani (Plainsboro, N.J./W. Windsor Plainsboro-North) of the Rider University field hockey team was named Northeast Conference Player of the Week, it was announced by the conference office Monday afternoon. "Megan has been clutch for us all season long," said head coach Lori Hussong. "She is playing well and with each game, gains more and more confidence."
Pisani was honored for all games played September 28-October 4.
With the score tied at one at the end of regulation on October 1 against La Salle, Pisani scored the game-winner three minutes into overtime as Rider (10-0) prevailed 2-1. In the Northeast Conference opener on October 4 at Sacred Heart, Pisani turned a 1-0 Bronc lead into a three goal win, scoring her NEC leading 13th and 14th goals in the second half.
Pisani, who has six game-winning goals on the season, has seven goals in her last five games and has scored in three straight contests. Pisani is fifth in the nation averaging 1.40 goals per game as of the latest NCAA report released today.
"Megan is hungry to be an offensive threat," Hussong added. "She is a hard worker and extremely coachable. Having her along side sophomore Virginia Egusquiza (Getxo, Spain) has made her an offensive threat and now our opponents can't just key on Virginia which has opened up her game as well. Megan has worked extremely hard to make herself into a complete player and is hungry to put the ball in the cage for us."
Pisani was named NEC Player of the Week for all games August 31-September 6 after a 14 point week. At Temple on September 1, Pisani scored a hat trick, including the game-winner and added an assist. Against Central Michigan on September 5, Pisani scored twice including her second game-winner and she capped off the week with a goal and assist in Rider's 3-1 win at Colgate on September 6.
Pisani is the sixth NEC award winner for Rider in the six weeks of the season so far. Rookies Jackie Adams (Medford Lakes/Shawnee), Ellie LaBar (Oaklyn/Collingswood) and Marlaine Schneider (Feasterville, Pa./Neshaminy) have all received NEC Rookie of the Week honors with Schneider receiving the recognition twice.
Rider was 31st in the NFHCA poll entering play on September 27 and as a team through Sunday, the Broncs were second in save percentage (.853) and goals against average (0.49), fifth in scoring margin (2.81), 11th in goals per game (3.40), 17th in scoring average (3.30), 17th in points per game (8.90) and 24th in assists per game (2.10). Rider has not trailed at any point this season and is out-scoring its opponents 34-5
One of only three undefeated teams left in Division I (Maryland 12-0, North Carolina 11-0), Rider (1-0 NEC) travels to West Long Branch to face in-state and conference rival Monmouth (2-0 NEC) on Friday at 4:00pm.
Photo Credit: Hugh Tsung (Rider University)
