HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 29, 2011) – Following a weather delay, the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s soccer match against Empire 8 foe Elmira College was forfeited by the Soaring Eagles. The Ducks held a 5-0 lead with 32:40 remaining in the contest when play was stopped due to thunder and lightning. Before the match began, the five seniors for the Ducks were recognized for their Senior Day.
With the point earned by Stevens, the Ducks clinched home field and the No. 1 seed in next weekend’s Empire 8 Conference tournament. Stevens finishes the regular season with a 12-3-3 overall record and a 6-0-1 mark in the conference. This is the first time in program history that the women’s team has won the Empire 8 regular season title.
Stevens jumped out early with its first goal just 3:12 into the match on an unassisted goal by freshman Ann Heine (Sammamish, Wash.) after she intercepted a clear attempt by Elmira. Heine then went on a breakaway run to force a 1v1 with the Soaring Eagles goalkeeper.
Just 4:08 later, sophomore Lindsay Stoll (Bellevue, Wash.) tallied the second Ducks goal off a corner kick by senior Kathleen Schuckers (Lincoln Park, N.J.). Stoll settled the service in the middle of the six-yard box and registered the score with a host of Soaring Eagles within the vicinity.
Schuckers then notched her first of two goals in the 12th minute off a through ball from graduate student Christine Smith (East Northport, N.Y.) and raced past the Elmira defenders to run down the pass and give the Ducks a 3-0 advantage.
The fourth goal of the abbreviated match was recorded by Schuckers on an assist from Heine in the 17th minute, while the final marker of the first half went to freshman Mariah Cleveland (Los Gatos, Calif.) off a feed from sophomore Becky Wos (Mukwonago, Wis.).
Once the teams came out for the second half, the entire field was covered with snow which changed the whole pace of the contest. Stevens was able to take three shots in the 13 minutes of the second half before the thunder and lightning forced a stoppage in play and eventually ended the contest on Elmira’s decision not to return to the field.
Senior Kaitlin McClymont (Corpus Christi, Texas) played the first half and was not forced to make a save. McClymont was relieved by sophomore Catherine Keough (Barnegat, N.J.), who also did not record a save.
Stevens outshot the Soaring Eagles, 16-3, and held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.
Due to the forfeit, the statistics will not officially count, but a ruling by the NCAA will be made next week.