LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — Rider broke through in the second half to claim a 1-0 victory over Marist on Wednesday, snapping a winless stretch with a clinical finish that proved decisive in a tightly contested matchup. Tess Ferrie's goal in the 49th minute, assisted by Noa Menzing, stood as the match's only score in front of a sparse midweek crowd at the Broncs' home pitch.
The opening 45 minutes unfolded as a defensive struggle with few clear-cut opportunities. Marist's Julia Loncar and Gabby Tirado tested Rider's backline with efforts in the first half, while Valgerður Sigurjónsdóttir generated chances for the hosts. Neither goalkeeper faced significant pressure early, as both teams settled into a cautious rhythm. Marist controlled possession stretches but couldn't convert their territorial advantage into genuine scoring chances.
Rider made a tactical adjustment at halftime, withdrawing Annie Small and reshuffling their lineup. The change paid immediate dividends. Just four minutes into the second half, Ferrie capitalized on a Menzing setup to slip the ball past Marist's keeper and give the Broncs their breakthrough. It was a moment of clinical execution after 45 minutes of stalemate—exactly the kind of goal that separates teams in tight conference battles.
Marist responded with urgency, generating multiple chances to equalize. Sophia Dorsey fired wide early in the second half, while Julia Loncar and Ella Bryan both tested Rider's defense with blocked shots and off-target attempts. The Red Foxes dominated the shot count, recording 17 attempts compared to Rider's four, but precision eluded them when it mattered most. Marist's six shots on goal couldn't find the back of the net against a Rider defense that tightened considerably after conceding.
The visitors pressed relentlessly down the stretch, earning five corner kicks to Rider's two. Delia Hahn and Mia Katchouni added late pressure, but Rider's goalkeeper and backline held firm. Ferrie's defensive work complemented her offensive contribution, helping Rider weather Marist's sustained assault in the final 20 minutes. The Broncs' six saves proved vital in preserving their slim advantage.
Rider's victory marked a significant moment for a squad struggling to find consistency this season. Coming off a 3-0 loss at Siena just four days earlier, the Broncs needed a confidence-building result. This win provides exactly that—a clean sheet at home against a Marist team fighting for tournament positioning. For Marist, the loss extends their recent struggles after dropping their last two matches.
The Red Foxes remain in contention but face mounting pressure as the regular season winds down. Their 6-7-5 record leaves little room for error in the final stretch, while Rider's 3-8-7 mark suggests they're building toward something after this breakthrough performance. Both teams will look to build momentum heading into their next conference fixtures.
Marist returns home to face a crucial matchup, while Rider will attempt to build on this result in their next outing. Wednesday's result underscores how fine the margins are in Division I soccer—one moment of clinical finishing separated these evenly matched teams.