Stevens Hands W&J First Conference Field Hockey Loss
WASHINGTON, Pa. (October 16, 2010) – Junior captain Mallory Swanson converted a penalty stroke 2:08 into overtime to lift the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team to a 2-1 win over Empire 8 rival Washington & Jefferson College on Saturday morning at Cameron Stadium in Washington, Pa. The win is the fifth in a row for Stevens, which improves to 4-1 in the Empire 8. The first-place Ducks are now a half game ahead of Utica College and W&J, both of which are 3-1 in the conference.
Senior goalkeeper Ellyn Griggs had a fantastic afternoon in goal, making eight saves, several of the spectacular variety to help the Ducks to the victory.
W&J (9-3 overall, 3-1 Empire 8) took the lead with a gorgeous goal at the 18:06 mark when freshman forward Alexandra Kania (Greensburg, Pa.) found sophomore Jennifer Marabella (Sinking Spring, Pa.) for her 16th goal of the season.
Stevens answered in the 27th minute after a penalty corner. Freshman Grace Ridge hit out and the Ducks generated several shots on goal before sophomore Mary Nikish found the back of the net for her third score of the season.
In the second half, both teams had several chances but the goalkeepers, especially Griggs, kept the game knotted at one-all.
Early in the overtime, W&J had a pair of corners but the Ducks’ defense was able to hold on. Following play deep in the Stevens zone, the Ducks were able to get out on a breakaway. Freshman Caitlin Chamberlain was out in the open but was tripped from behind. That is when Swanson stepped in and put in the game-winner on the ensuing stroke.
W&J ended the contest with an 11-8 edge in shots and a 9-5 penalty-corner advantage. Junior goalkeeper Roslyn Reynoso (Fallbrook, Calif.) made two stops in the loss for the Presidents. Griggs and the Stevens defense pitched their fourth shutout in five games.