WEST HAVEN, Conn.- Alexis Rider (Delran, N.J./Delran) found the back of the net within the first five minutes of play and would later score again, but the University of New Haven field hockey team came up short against American International, 3-2, on Saturday night at DellaCamera Stadium.
The Chargers came out of the gates strong, as Rider capitalized on a failed clear attempt by the Yellow Jackets when she stole the ball and drove it home across the arc to the opposite corner of the net in the third minute of the game. American International would even the score ten minutes later off their first penalty corner.
The score remained tied for a majority of the first half despite a few opportunities for the Chargers as Rider had a shot that hit the post and Reilly Bialko (Shickshinny, Pa./Northwest Area) had a shot that was saved by a defender. American International took the lead in the 30th minute off a reverse chip from the top of the arc.
The Chargers had a chance to tie the game early in the second half as Abby Wells (Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna) took a shot but the goalie made a diving save to keep it from going in. AIC capitalized on a penalty stroke to take a two-goal lead.
New Haven would not give up and had several opportunities with four offensive penalty corners in a row. In that span, Rider, Taylor Geaglone (Enfield, Conn./Enfield), Bialko, and Julia Battino (Haddonfield, N.J./Haddonfield Memorial) each had shots on goal. The persistence payed off as Rider found the back of the net off a rebound from one of Battino's shots. Momentum was in the Chargers' favor towards the end but the clock was not as New Haven was unable to convert on a final minute breakaway.
Natalie Shaker (Newtown, Conn./Newtown) made 10 saves in goal and the offense had 16 total shots on the night, 12 of them on target.
New Haven closes out a historic second season in program history on Tuesday night with a trip up to Manchester, N.H. to take on the Southern New Hampshire University Penmen. Game time is slated for 6:00 pm.
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