CENTER VALLEY, PA – The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team closed its three-match road swing with a 5-1 loss at DeSales Wednesday afternoon. The Ducks fall to 5-3, while the Bulldogs won their fourth straight match to improve to 8-3.

DeSales opened up a quick lead with Marisa Baldassano’s unassisted goal 54 seconds into the match.

Stevens rebounded from the early deficit as senior Valerie Barnhart (Gilbertsville, PA) tied the score with an unassisted goal in the seventh minute. She collected the loose ball and scored amidst a scramble in front of the cage. Barnhart finished with a game-high six shots.  

DeSales regained the lead in the 16th minute after Ashley Sparango found Jen Pulcini of the Bulldogs in front of the cage for the score.

Stevens played DeSales evenly in the first half with the Bulldogs holding a slim, 9-7, edge in shots, while the Ducks recorded three penalty corners to Desales’ two. 

The Bulldogs controlled the second half, however, outshooting the Ducks, 10-2, in the final period. DeSales built a 4-1 advantage with a pair of goals by Gina Malatesta in the first three minutes of the first half. The Bulldogs added a fifth goal in the 43rd minute as Sparango connected with Bethany Hepner on a penalty corner.

Stevens freshman goalie Stephanie Smith (Hockessin, DE) had six saves in the match, while Amy Zoltek posted three stops for DeSales.

Stevens returns home for a match with Union College at 3 p.m. at DeBaun Field in Hoboken, NJ.