Click Here For NEC Tournament Headquarters

Championship
#1 Rider 2, #3 Fairfield 1

Click Here For Boxscore
Click Here For Highlights

Staten Island, NY -- In another classic matchup featuring NEC field hockey powers, it was a pair of Rider freshman performers who made the difference in Rider securing in its eight conference championship.

The thrilling final between the top-seeded Broncs and reigning champion and third-seeded Fairfield saw freshman forward Valeria Perales walk it off for Rider just 2:59 into overtime in Staten Island, NY.

Rider (15-5) has now won eight NEC titles - four more than any other program - all under the guidance of Lori Hussong, herself a six-time NEC Coach/Coaching Staff of the Year honoree.

The winning goal came on the heels of a wild sequence that nearly ended the game.

Off a penatly corner, Rider's Sierra Giuliano's shot was saved by a sprawling Payton Rahn. Giuliano seized the rebound and struck a backhanded shot that was deflected and ricocheted off the crossbar and back into play.

Just moments later, Rider's Lyric Scott maneuvered her way from the right flank and down to the goal line and centered a ball into the box that found Valeria Perales at the back post for the game-winner. The top goalscorer in the NEC, Perales scored her 20th of the season and improved her league-leading game-winning goals total to seven.

The game had been scoreless for nearly 58 minutes following an early scoring flurry.

Four minutes into the first quarter, Julianna Kratz displayed great anticipation, following up on a rebound and capitalizing on the opportunity to put Fairfield (11-9) ahead. The senior forward converted two of Fairfield's three goals scored in the NEC tournament.

NEC Rookie of the Year Indy Zoontjens responded quickly for Rider, when just a minute and 20 seconds later she fired the equalizer that took a hop into the upper right corner of the goal. It marked her 12th goal of hte season, whiuch ranks second in the NEC. Semra Said was credited with the assist after scoring in the semis vs. Wagner.

NEC Defensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Year Kaitlyn Tomas posted four saves on the day. The heavily decorated senior goalkeeper, added another accolade to her shelf after she was awarded NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

Rahn recorded five saves for the Stags.

Shots were fairly even with Rider holding a 10-8 advantage and Fairfield had eight penalty corners, compared to five for Rider.

Rider will now await its NCAA opponent. The NCAA Selection Show will take place tonight at 10:00 pm on NCAA.com.

NEC All-Tournament Team
Kaitlyn Tomas, RID, Sr, GK (MVP)
Valeria Peralas, RID, Fr, F
Lyric Scott, RID, So, F
Indy Zoontjens, RID, Fr, MF
Emily Kness, FAIR, Sr, D
Julianna Kratz, FAIR. Sr. F
Payton Rahn, FAIR, So, GK
Eva Valentini, SFU, So, D
Dolores Zavaleta, SFU, So, MF
Liselotte Koop, WC. So, D
Julia Cruces Pastorino, WC, Gr, F