Leslie Kallberg's first career goal proved to be the difference as Stevens defeated Eastern, 2-1, on Saturday. |
HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 7, 2006) – Freshman midfielder Leslie Kallberg (Mission Viejo, Calif.) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half as the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s soccer team posted a 2-1 victory over Eastern University on Saturday at DeBaun Field in Hoboken, N.J. With the win, the Ducks extended their unbeaten streak to seven straight games (6-0-1) and improved to 7-2-3 on the season. The Eagles dropped to 8-3-1 with the loss.
Stevens and Eastern entered play on Saturday having allowed a total of 13 goals in 22 combined games, but the Ducks wasted little time in generating a quality scoring chance as junior forward/back Sara Roeder (Portland, Ore.) got behind the Eagles’ defense just 40 seconds into the game. On the play, Roeder ripped a left-footed shot past sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Daveler (Langhorne, Pa.), who came out of her net to challenge the Ducks’ leading scorer. Roeder’s shot appeared to be heading for the side netting but struck the right goal post squarely and bounced back into the field of play where it was cleared away by the Eagles’ defense.
With 10:20 elapsed in the first half, Stevens jumped on top as Roeder sent a free kick from the left wing into the box. Sophomore midfielder Audra Clark (Dallas, Texas) redirected the pass off Daveler, and Cook knocked the loose ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Eastern had an opportunity to even the score with just over 10 minutes remaining in the period as sophomore midfielder Ashley Hackman (Perkasie, Pa.) hit the crossbar. Shortly thereafter, Stevens extended the margin to 2-0 as Roeder slid a pass to senior midfielder/forward Megan Legendre (O’Fallon, Ill.) at the top of the box. Legendre played the ball back to Kallberg, who lofted a shot from 20 yards out over the outstretched arms of Daveler.
The Eagles played a solid second half as they out-shot the Ducks 8-2 after intermission. With 27 minutes remaining in the game, Eastern nearly got on the board as senior forward Stephanie Frank (Harvey’s Lake, Pa.) sent a through ball ahead to sophomore forward Chrissy West (Centennial, Colo.). Stevens senior goalkeeper Erica Midttveit (Jackson, N.J.) made a good break on the play and beat West to the ball at the top of the box to avert trouble.
Eastern was finally able to cash in at the 82:10 mark as Hackman ripped a shot from in close that Midttveit made a diving save on. Hackman recovered her own rebound and scored to bring the Eagles within 2-1, but they were unable to generate any scoring chances the rest of the game.
Midttveit finished with three saves as she picked up her sixth win of the season. Daveler had four stops Eastern, which held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. Both teams registered 11 shots in the game.
Stevens will return to action on Wednesday when it takes on Maritime College at 4 p.m. in Throggs Neck, N.Y.
