2009 Rider University Field Hockey Outlook 

After losing five starters and seven letter winners overall to graduation, you would expect the Rider University field hockey team to have an under construction look entering the 2009 season. But with 13 letterwinners returning to the mix and six talented incoming freshmen, the Broncs are looking to make the road a bumpy one for the opposition with a flat out 'blue collar' work ethic.

"We're excited about the season," said head coach Lori Hussong, who is entering her 10th season at the Broncs' head coach. "We have a strong nucleus returning who all have a keen understanding of the importance of working hard together.  Couple that with a very talented freshman class who are eager to learn and this could prove to be a very successful combination."

Rider is picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference, behind perennial champion Lock Haven and the Broncs are looking to advance to the four-team NEC Playoffs for the 10th year in a row. In addition to the playoff run, Rider has advanced to the NEC Title game in nine of the last 10 seasons, winning the tournament in 2000, 2002 and 2004. Last season, Lock Haven knocked the Broncs off in the finals by a 3-0 score.

As in years past, Hussong sees the strength of the team starting at the goalie position and having All-Region goalie Lyndsie Johnson in the pipes presents a solid foundation to build upon.

"Having a proven, veteran goal keeper in Lyndsie is a luxury," said Lori Hussong.  "She had an outstanding season for us last year and we are looking for her to spring board into this season and lead us.  Goaltending has always been steady for us. With a year of experience under her belt, I think she is going to be much more confident. She will be able to lead and direct the defense."

Johnson exploded onto the NEC scene as a junior, recording six shutouts to earn NFHCA All-Region honors and ranked fourth in the nation in save percentage and seventh in goals against average.

"We think Lyndsie is up to the challenge of continuing to improve," Lori Hussong added.  "She has grown in so many ways as an athlete and a person. We are looking for her to have a rewarding season."

Johnson allowed only two goals in conference play with a 0.28 goals against average, recording five shutouts.

"Lyndsie's hard work has paid off for her," said assistant coach Dan Hussong. "It is nice to see someone work from a reserve roll to a regional All-America honoree. She will not rest on her laurels. It shows the rest of the team what you can accomplish by working hard and paying your dues. She works hard in practice every day and has become one of the top goalies in the country."

Rounding out the senior class are defenders Brittany Baxter and Kelly Crist along with midfielder Erin McGinniss.

Baxter is a three-year letterwinner and three-time member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll as well as a three-time member of NFCHA All Academic Squad.

"Brittany is a special player and a positive contributing member of the squad," Lori Hussong said.  "Her job is to make a starter a better player and help the team both on and off the field.  She handles her role on the team with pride and is a great example of being a member of a successful, cohesive, productive team. She works hard every day."

Crist is a member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll and in her first season, appeared in all 20 games for Rider, starting 13.

"Kelly is the ultimate competitor and team player," said Lori Hussong.  "We switched her position from attack to defense and we could not be happier with the result.  Her intercepting skills and her ability to clear the ball make her very hard to beat.  Kelly lives and breathes field hockey and will be counted on to help lead the team in the right direction."

Crist came to Rider from Monmouth University where she was the Hawks leading scorer in 2006 and 2007.

McGinniss, a three-time member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll, started all 20 games as a junior and is a 57 game veteran.

"Erin is a typical Rider field hockey player who comes to the field always ready and eager to give her all," Lori Hussong said. "She has earned her way though second effort and hard work. She is the kind of athlete that gets the job done through sheer hustle and desire.  Our players look to her for leadership.   She is such a positive role model for our players to look up to both on and off the field and always gives a champion's effort."

The junior class consists of back Margaret Ecke, midfield/back Kristy Kelly, midfield/back Lindsay Rajeski and forward Allison Vogel.

Ecke is a veteran of 39 games and a two-time All NEC Conference squad selection. As a sophomore she helped anchor a defense that allowed just over one goal a game. 

"Margaret is coming off a great year," said Lori Hussong. "She is an elite level player who is can be counted on to come of with the big play.   She has given us two years of consistent play in the back and we are looking for her to lead the defense and be a role model with her effort."

"She is a silent assassin," Dan Hussong added. "She is aggressive and her stick work continues to improve. She is one of the top defenders in the conference."

Kelly has started all 40 games in her Rider career, earning Second Team All-NEC honors last season as a sophomore.

"Kristy is coming off a great sophomore season," Lori Hussong said. "Her quickness and her intensity have made her into a tenacious player on the field. She is the type of player you need to have on the team, that hard working, blue collar type of athlete, the kind that most teams don't like to play against."

Rajeski is a two-time member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll and is a veteran of 35 games.

"Lindsay has the potential to be a standout," Lori Hussong said. "She is a big strong athlete who is deceptively quick to the ball.  We fully expect her to be a contributing factor both offensively as well as defensively."

Vogel, a 32 game veteran and two-time member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll, is expected to miss the 2009 season with a knee injury after ranking fifth on the team in scoring as a sophomore.

"We are heartsick for Allison," Lori Hussong said. "Allison suffered another setback ACL injury during the summer which will prevent her from getting on the field this fall.  Often times you can benefit from being on the sidelines and learn by watching. She will be an extra set of eyes to help the players on the field."

The five members of the sophomore class are led by midfield/forward Virginia Egusquiza and forward Megan Pisani.

Egusquiza, the 2008 NEC Rookie of the Year, returns for her second campaign after playing for Spain in the U21 World Cup in Boston this past summer.

"Virginia is coming into the season with confidence that we've never seen," Lori Hussong said.  "Her playing experience this past summer with Spain's U21 National team has helped bring her a game to a new level of play.  She is everything a coach could ever ask for in a player both on and off the field.  She is the type of player that can raise the level of play of everyone around her.  She is unselfish and team oriented and cares more about team goals than about individual goals. That is what makes her so special.  She is a beautiful player to watch and we could not be more pleased with her contributions to our team."

"Virginia is fun to be around and is as good of a person off the field as she is on the field," Dan Hussong added.

Pisani appeared in 18 of 20 games as a rookie and was named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll.

"Megan has blazing speed and has worked hard to improve her stick skills," said Lori Hussong. "She is playing with a renewed confidence in her playing abilities.  She is extremely coachable, eager to learn and her work ethic and dedication has really shown up in her improvement."

"Meg made big strides in the spring season and has a high ceiling for her potential," Dan Hussong added.  "Playing along Virginia [Egusquiza] all spring has really helped her. She is willing to try new things and add elements to her game."

The other sophomores include goalie Rebecca Lotito, forward Mary Morano and midfield/back Natasha Tukeva.

Lotito was a member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll as a freshman.

"Rebecca is returning after an injury filled rookie season and will compete for the starting goalie job," Dan Hussong said. "She is a good athlete and will push Lyndsie [Johnson]. Jobs are earned every day and we have healthy competition for a lot of spots in the lineup, including goalie. That is why we get better every day in practice."

Morano was also a member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll and appeared in four games off the bench with the Broncs winning all four times.

"Mary is a reserve offensive player," said Dan Hussong. "She accepts her role and that is what makes us successful as a deeper team. She will work hard in practice so that she is ready when she is called on in a game."

Tukeva, a member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll, appeared in seven games off the bench as a rookie and Rider posted a 6-1 record in those games.

"Natasha will give us much needed depth," Lori Hussong said. "She is a hard working athlete. She has great energy and aggressiveness and took a step forward with her improvement during the spring season."

The purpose of any construction project is to incorporate the new into the existing structure and how the six freshmen adapt to the collegiate game will go a long way in determining the success of field hockey team in 2009.

Leading the charge will be rookie forwards Jackie Adams and Marlaine Schneider.

Adams, a 5-2 Communication and Journalism major, comes to Rider out of Shawnee High School in South Jersey where she helped the Renegades win the state and Tournament of Champions titles while earning All-South Jersey and All-Conference honors.

"Jackie comes from a high powered high school program," Lori Hussong said.  "She is a hard worker and we are looking for her to provide a spark.  She is the type of player you want out on the field in crunch time because you know she will do whatever she has to do to get the job done. Her aggressive style of play will cause havoc on the field."

The 5-7 Schneider is another local product, coming out of Neshaminy High School in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where she earned First Team All-State honors.

"We brought Marlaine in to replace Tricia Crotty's speed on the field," Dan Hussong said.  "She comes out of a very good Neshaminy program.  She is going to be a diamond in the rough and people will be very surprised as to what she can do for us.  She is a scorer and will be another dangerous player on the field. She can score or assist from the wing."

"Making an inroad into Southeastern Pennsylvania was important," Lori Hussong added.  "Recruits will see that a local player is enjoying their collegiate experience and is part of a successful program at a quality school.  Having players from different areas helps you make that connection.  The current players are really the ambassadors for our program and for Rider University."

Rounding out the rookie class for the Broncs are Gabby Burgo, Amber Evans, Ellie LaBar and Austyn Swartz.

Burgo, a 5-4 forward out of Collingswood, New Jersey, earned All-South Jersey honors and was a two-time First Team All-Group II and three-time First Team All-Conference honoree.

"Gabby is a hard working player," Lori Hussong said.  "She will dive for the ball and work hard to get the job done.  She has speed and aggressiveness. She has a hard shot and we are looking to utilize her scoring punch as well."

Evans, a 5-3 back, was the Athlete of the Year for Exeter High in New Hampshire as a senior, lettering all four years in field hockey, ice hockey and tennis.

"Amber is a fast defender," Dan Hussong said.  "We got her to increase our overall speed. We were looking for speed all over the field and Amber fits the bill.  She is a tenacious defender.  We operate from the goal forward, which is what has made us successful and she is joining a solid defensive group.  Playing in front of an All-Region goalie will benefit her greatly.  The best defenses are ones that take chances, you have to take stealing chances but be smart about them. Because Amber is so fast, if she does make a mistake, she can recover quickly."

Ellie LaBar is a 5-4 midfielder who also has South Jersey roots out of Collingswood High School where she earned First Team All-State, All-South Jersey and All-Group II honors.

"Ellie is a quick and powerful midfielder," Lori Hussong said.  "She has a blue collar game with skill and is going to be fun to watch.  She plays with wild enthusiasm; not reckless but aggressive.  She takes smart chances and plays with endless energy."

Austyn Swartz is a 5-2 midfielder/forward out of Pitman, New Jersey, where she was a three-year letter winner and team MVP.

"Austyn is another high energy player," Lori Hussong said about the fourth Bronc rookie with South Jersey roots.  "She has 100 percent hustle and good stick work. Once she gets comfortable with our style of play she will be counted on to contribute."

"Making the jump from high school to college is going to be key for the success of our squad with the incoming freshmen," Dan Hussong added.  "The rule changes with the quick start are really going to change the game across the nation and we have players who can handle that transition. All of the rookies are adaptable as they have speed and athleticism."

"The six seniors we lost to graduation left us with some big holes to fill," Lori Hussong added.  "The athletes we brought to Rider are ready to jump in and be productive as soon as possible.  Dan's emphasis was to recruit scorers for us and we brought in some really talented players who have a knack for scoring and who will be ready at every opportunity.  We have several players who are capable of finishing which will make us a more complete team. We've built the program around hard work and tenacity.  A hard worker, combined with a skilled player is going to be hard to stop and all of our players fall into those categories. Our recruiting goal was to bring in players that have a strong work ethic and we think we were successful in doing that."

The non-conference schedule will again be loaded with tough road games.  After the Broncs open against Lehigh, Rider travels to national power Temple before facing Central Michigan and Colgate at the Colgate Raider Invitational.  Road games at Hofstra, Appalachian State and Radford await the Broncs before the on-campus home opener on September 25 against West Chester.  Rider travels to Connecticut for the first Northeast Conference game on October 4 at Sacred Heart with the final non-conference game at Rutgers on October 17.  The Broncs complete the NEC schedule, hosting league favorite Lock Haven on November 1.

"We loaded the schedule with some really competitive teams in an effort to prepare for the NEC," Lori Hussong said.  "Lehigh is a 50-50 game every year and we are looking for a good start.  If we can learn from each game, we will be well prepared for the NEC playoffs at the end of the season.  Overall, the conference will be wide open.  Any given day, someone in the league can win or lose and every conference game will be a dog fight.  We need to be up for the challenge. There are no guaranteed wins in the league. You can't afford to coast and take a game off having only eight league games.  You have to be ready; there is no room for error."

The field hockey team is compiling another impressive streak, in addition to its 10-year playoff run under the Hussongs.  For the past five semesters in a row, the field hockey team has had the highest team grade point average of Rider's 20 varsity teams.

"We stress academics and we want our players to graduate in four years," said Lori Hussong.  "All of the hard work that we stress on the field, we expect of the players in the classroom.  The team has certainly done that.  It is an honor to have the top grade point average of the Rider teams and we strive to do that each semester. Academics are why the players are here."

Last season, of the 99 Rider student-athletes that earned All-Conference academic honors, 14 were from the field hockey squad and in 2007 and 2008, the team earned national recognition from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association for its team g.p.a.

As the Hussongs looked into the future and the construction of another championship squad, both took a moment to reflect on their 10th season at Rider.

"You always want to keep improving the program and the first nine seasons have been a great experience," Lori Hussong said.  "It's an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with so many great young people. We try to prepare them for life first and give them a great experience both athletically, academically and socially so that they leave with the fondest of memories.  The relationships that we have gained and continue to have with our current players as well as our alumni have enriched our lives.  Each and every member has given a little bit of themselves to our program.  The alumni all take great pride in knowing that they were part of something special."

"We still have a close relationship with a lot of the alumni and it's special, seeing them become successful, both in the sport of field hockey and in their careers," Dan Hussong added.  "We care about every individual that we coach here and I truly believe each of the players feel that way in return.  "That is part of our success in allowing the student-athletes to reach their highest potential.  We get the most out of the players that we have and they have found a way to make those things happen.  We have good character players in the program with high potential and it is a lot of fun and exciting when they reach that potential and the players graduate proud of the program that they played for."

With the Rider field hockey team 'under construction' for the 2009 season, the Broncs look to make the ride as rewarding for its fans as it will be bumpy for their opponents.