Columbia’s field hockey team (6-3, 2-1 Ivy) looks to return to winning form when it hosts Rider (7-3) today. The Lions are coming off a disappointing 8-0 loss to No. 3 Princeton, which snapped their six-game win streak.
The Broncs won their conference championship last season, and are having another excellent season with wins against Penn, UC Davis, and Villanova. Rider is coming off an 8-0 defeat of Lehigh that ended a worrying two-game losing streak in which the Broncs were outscored 8-3. Junior forward Sandra Penas, who has nine goals and three assists so far this season, leads the Broncs on the offense. Senior forward Gabby Burgo and senior forward Marlaine Schneider are also key contributors for Rider, as both have scored five and four goals, respectively, this season. The Broncs have had a fast start to the season but do appear susceptible on the road, as they are only 3-2 in games played away from Rider.
But coach Marybeth Freeman said the team’s game against Ivy powerhouse Princeton has prepared the team for future contests like today’s game against Rider.
“We’re at our best when we’re playing our style of hockey, so we just need to focus on what we do well,” Freeman said. “And taking from Princeton, the top-three program in the country, I think playing against them and going into our game against Rider, playing that kind of caliber of team is going to set us up for being successful in the future.”
The Lions’ match against Rider will start at 7 p.m. The game will be held at the Columbia Field Hockey Venue.
