EMMITSBURG, Md. (October 30, 2024) –
Nathalie Mejia finished the 2024 season with an olimpico, securing a 1-1 tie against the Rider Broncs Wednesday night. However, both teams needed the win to advance to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship, so the Mount must settle for spoiler as their season reaches its end.
Mejia's strike from the corner came as an equalizer in the 89
th minute, capitalizing on the team's third corner attempt of the contest. This was the graduate student's third goal of the year, and her second olimpico following a corner curl-in in the Marist game on September 21. Mejia finishes second on the team in goals, behind
Sydoney Clarke's eight.
Adelaide Paredes made six saves in the net while trying to keep the Mountaineers with striking range. The freshman completes the campaign with 89 saves for the year. With playoffs on the line, each team's offense made repeated tests of the goalkeepers. Rider's Ellie Sciancalepore tallied eight saves on the night, with the Mountaineers offense making an efficient nine of 11 shots on goal.
Until Mejia's goal, Rider looked to be in position to grab the final MAAC playoff spot off a score from Noa Menzing in the 50
th minute. Sacred Heart had completed their match with Saint Peter's in a 1-1 tie, which was known to both squads at halftime thanks to that contest's earlier kickoff time. 90 seconds from the Broncs clinching a postseason berth, Mejia's shot went in, allowing the Pioneers to take the final spot instead.
The Mountaineers conclude the campaign with a record of 6-9-3 and a 3-6-3 mark in the MAAC.
