UAlbany Field Hockey Will Host Rider in NCAA Tournament Play-In Game on Tuesday

Albany, N.Y. - America East Conference champion University at Albany will host Northeast Conference champion Rider in an NCAA Field Hockey Tournament play-in game on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 1:00 p.m. at UAlbany's Alumni Turf Field. The Great Danes earned the right to host the play-in game after defeating New Hampshire, 3-2, in overtime on Saturday in the America East championship game.

No. 15 UAlbany (15-5) has been nationally ranked on the Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I National Coaches' Poll for the entire 2010 season. The Great Danes are led by America East goalkeeper of the year Kristi Troch, who anchored a defense that finished second in the conference in goals allowed (1.44). She also helped the Great Danes to a league-leading seven shutouts. Troch, who was named the league's player of the week once this season, led the America East with a 1.14 goals against average and a .818 save percentage. Corrine McConville, who was named the conference tournament's most outstanding player, became UAlbany's second-ever America East rookie of the year winner, and also earned all-conference second-team accolades. She led the conference in shots and was also ranked in the top ten in goals, after scoring eight in her rookie season. Christina Patrick, a first-team all-league selection, leads the team in scoring with 15 goals and eight assists.

Rider (16-3) claimed its fourth NEC championship title with a 1-0 win over Monmouth on Saturday. The Broncs are led by back-to-back NEC player of the year and tournament MVP Virginia Egusquiza, who set up the game-winning shot in the championship game. Egusquiza, a junior midfielder/forward, is ranked on Rider's all-time goals and assists charts after scoring a point in 16 of 17 regular-season games. Goalkeeper Rebecca Lotito recorded her seventh shutout of the season, making three saves. Rider outshot Monmouth, 16-4, and held a 15-5 advantage in penalty corners. Rider junior Megan Pisani was named the 2010 NEC Offensive Player of the Year, while Sandra Penas earned the league's rookie of the year honor.

UAlbany and Rider have split four previous meetings, with the Broncs claiming a 4-1 victory in the last match up, back on Sept. 26, 2003.

Paw Prints: The 2010 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament Selection Show will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. The selection show will be streamed live on ncaa.com, where the tournament bracket will be released. UAlbany will be looking to make its second appearance in the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament. The Great Danes lost to top-ranked Maryland, 4-2, back in 2008.

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2010 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament Play-In Game

Alumni Turf Field, Albany, N.Y.

#15 UAlbany (15-5) vs. Rider (16-3), 1 p.m.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information