PHILADELPHIA – After a decisive 4-1 victory over Georgetown on Tuesday, the La Salle field hockey team will look to remain undefeated with a visit to Rider on Friday and the home opener versus Columbia on Sunday.
Scouting the Explorers (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic 10)
La Salle received strong contributions from its underclassmen in the 4-1 win over Georgetown. Sophomore Olivia Shoemaker and freshman Maddy Tettelbach each had two goals while freshman Lisa Shaffer had seven saves in the cage during her first collegiate action.
The Explorers got on the board quickly on Shoemaker's goal in the second minute and never trailed. La Salle scored four goals or more in three contests last season and won twice.
Scouting Rider (1-0, 0-0 Northeast Conference)
Friday, September 2
Game coverage: Live Statistics / Live Video
Rider is picked to win the NEC title once again after its second straight undefeated run through the regular season in 2010. The Broncs defeated Monmouth in the NEC Championship game and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, finishing with a 16-4 overall record.
"Rider is a team that always puts up a hard fight and gives us a very competitive game," La Salle head coach Michelle Marks said. "They are coming off a NEC conference championship and returning several key players. Rider is coming off a big win and produced a lot of goals in that game, so we will be looking to shut them down in front of the cage."
The Broncs return 13 letterwinners, including two-time NEC Player of the Year Virginia Egusquiza, 2010 NEC Rookie of the Year current sophomore Sandra Penas and 2009 NEC Rookie of the Year current junior Marlaine Schneider. The top three scorers in the Northeast Conference are back and all three play for the Broncs.
The Broncs are 1-0 after defeating Ball State, 9-3, last Saturday. Egusquiza and Penas each scored two goals for Rider in the victory.
Scouting Columbia (0-0, 0-0 Ivy League)
Sunday, September 4
Game coverage: Live Statistics
Columbia opens the season this weekend in Philadelphia with a visit to Drexel on Friday and trip to 20th and Olney on Sunday. The Lions were 10-7 last year and 3-4 in the Ivy League.
"We have not competed against Columbia in the regular season in 10 years, however, we had the opportunity to face them for them this off season," Marks said. "They are a very skilled and well coached team and we look forward to playing them on Sunday."
Leading scorer Gabby Kozlowski is back after tallying 16 goals to earn first team All-Ivy League and second team all-region honors. Kozlowski is a graduate of Eastern High School in New Jersey and was a high school teammate of La Salle's Jessica Deaner and Mariel Papa.
Carson Christus also returns after finishing third on the team with 13 points last fall.
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