Five-Goal First Half Helps Stevens to 7-1 Win Over Fisher
HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 24, 2011) – Sophomore Rachel Chavez recorded a career-high six points as the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team improved to 1-1 in the Empire 8 with a 7-1 win over St. John Fisher College on Saturday afternoon at the De Baun Athletic Complex. The Ducks dominated the contest from start to finish, ending with a 30-4 advantage in shots and a 14-2 edge in penalty corners.
Stevens played a near-flawless first half, outshooting the Cardinals 17-2, holding a 7-0 edge in corners, and taking a 5-0 lead into intermission.
Stevens jumped on top 1-0 on Rachel Chavez’s fifth goal of the year. Chavez was positioned in front, and freshman Jillian Fiebel found her with a nice pass for the tap in less than five minutes into the action. The Ducks tallied their second goal of the afternoon when Chavez made several slick moves into the circle and down to the right end line before making a perfect cross to the far post where junior Marguerite Chavez was stationed for her second marker of the year.
The Ducks converted a corner into a goal in the 24th minute as senior Jillian Price hit out to sophomore Grace Ridge who buried a shot into the lower-left corner. Price found Rachel Chavez 1:07 later to put the Ducks on top 4-0, and junior back Samantha Weisman notched her first career goal with 6:10 remaining in the opening period courtesy of a Rachel Chavez helper. The Ducks passed around the circle following a penalty corner before Weisman received the pass from Chavez at the top of the circle and blasted a bullet into the lower-right 90 of the cage.
Stevens continued to push in the second half, as senior Mallory Swanson converted her third penalty stroke in the last four games into a score.
Fisher (1-6 overall, 0-2 Empire 8) notched its goal in the 54th minute when freshman Marissa Vedella (Elma, N.Y.) put in her third of the year following a corner she started. Vedella hit out, received a pass back and made several moves before scoring.
The final margin came when sophomore Mary Nikish hit out on a corner to sophomore Megan Traub at the top left of the striking circle. Traub touched once and then fired for her third goal of the year.
Senior Krysten Suarez earned the win in goal for Stevens. Freshman Kellie Redmond (Port Byron, N.Y.) made seven saves and took the loss for the Cardinals.
Rachel Chavez led Stevens with two goals and two assists, with Swanson, Traub, Weisman, Ridge and Marguerite Chavez all notching single tallies. Price (two), Nikish and Fiebel had the Duck assists.
Stevens, winners of two in a row and three-of-four, is now 3-4 overall.