Stevens Field Hockey Downs W&J for Third Straight Empire 8 Championship
HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 7, 2010) – The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team defeated Washington & Jefferson College for its third Empire 8 title in as many years on Sunday afternoon at the De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, N.J. Stevens’ goals came from senior captain Lauren Griggs in the first half and freshman Chelsea Cresci in the second, and senior goalkeeper Ellyn Griggs was named the Most Valuable Player of the championship game.
Stevens (10-10) had the contest’s first chance just 90 seconds into the game when Lauren Griggs took a shot that needed to be saved by sophomore Meaghan Thornlow (Hudson, Ohio) as it eluded W&J goalie Shelby Colyer (Oxford, Ohio).
W&J (15-4) had its first quality scoring chance with 23:58 left in opening half. Sophomore Erin Barno (Camp Hill, Pa.) ripped a shot from 10 yards out but Ellyn Griggs was there to make a beautiful kick save.
After a lot of back and forth over the next 10 minutes, the Ducks had a streak of three corners over a minute-plus. On the third one, they broke through with a perfectly executed play that ended with Griggs’ second goal of the season. Griggs inserted out to start the play and sophomore back Samantha Weisman slid to senior Karen Federico on the left side. Federico then fired a pass to Griggs on the left post and the senior captain one-timed it in for the score.
The Ducks almost pushed the lead to two with 6:56 left in the opening stanza but junior captain Mallory Swanson’s deflection hit the cross bar.
Stevens went into the break with the one-goal lead. The Ducks ended the first with a 5-3 edge in shots and out-cornered the Presidents, 6-4.
Just 7:18 into the second, W&J sophomore Jennifer Marabella (Sinking Spring, Pa.) bid to tie the game but her shot clanged off the right post and the Stevens lead stayed at one.
The Ducks pushed the lead to 2-0 at 44:50 and essentially clinched the win. Freshman Caitlin Chamberlain moved her way down the left sideline and to the end line. The rookie then fired a pass across the mouth of the goal to Cresci who did a marvelous job of controlling the ball and then flicked it up and over Colyer for her second goal of the season.
W&J did not quit but the Stevens defense would not break, recording its second shutout in a row and fifth of the season. Griggs ended the game with three saves and faced 11 shots. The Ducks ended the contest with a 13-9 edge in corners and W&J had a 12-11 advantage in shots. Colyer made four saves for the Presidents.
Swanson, Federico, junior Jillian Price, and Lauren Griggs all played well in the Stevens midfield as did the entire Stevens defensive unit. In addition to a nice pass to begin the first Stevens goal, Weisman also recorded a defensive save early in the second half.
Two of W&J’s four losses this season came at the hands of the Ducks who have now won 23 of their last 24 games against Empire 8 foes. Stevens has won six-straight Empire 8 tournament games.