Ellyn Griggs Stops Two Strokes to Key Stevens Win Over Ithaca
HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 18, 2010) – The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team earned its first win of 2010 and 17th straight in the Empire 8 on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon in Hoboken, N.J., downing rival Ithaca College, 2-1, at the De Baun Athletic Complex. Juniors Mallory Swanson and Jillian Price tallied the Stevens goals and senior goalkeeper Ellyn Griggs came up with two enormous saves on Bomber penalty strokes.
The two teams were unable to get on the board in the first half, and for the Ducks, it was not because of a lack of opportunities. Stevens fired 12 shots at Ithaca goalkeeper Kelly Singleton (Rochester, N.Y.) but the sophomore was up to the task, making five saves.
Stevens ended the first half with a 12-4 advantage in shots, an 8-2 edge in penalty corners, and also had the ball in Bomber (3-3 overall, 0-1 Empire 8) zone for more than 80 percent of the stanza.
Stevens (1-5 overall, 1-0 Empire 8) continued to apply the pressure in the opening moments of the second half, generating several corners and a flurry of shots that Singleton either saved or the Bomber defense was able to get in front of.
The Ducks stayed with the pressure and eventually broke through after a penalty corner. Freshman Grace Ridge hit out on the corner and the ball eventually found Swanson. After warding off several defenders, the junior captain was able to lift a shot that eluded the Ithaca defense and Singleton, finding its way into the right corner to stake the Ducks to a 1-0 lead.
Just 1:55 later, Price was able to convert on a penalty stroke to put the Ducks up 2-0.
The Griggs heroics began at the 51:54 mark when senior back Mia Muzzio (Rockport, Mass.) lined up for a stroke. Muzio lifted her shot and Griggs sprawled to her right to deflect the attempt off the far post.
The Bombers did not quit and came back at the Ducks, eventually cutting the lead to one with a little less than 15 minutes to play. Freshman Sam English (Ocean, N.J.) was able to put home a pass from Muzio after a penalty corner.
With 4:55 remaining in the game, Ithaca had a chance to tie by converting a stroke. Once again, Griggs came up with a monster save for the Ducks, this time diving to her left to make the stop.
Stevens ended with a 29-13 advantage in shots and a 13-4 edge in corners. Griggs was credited with eight saves on the afternoon and Singleton made 13.