HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 13, 2007) – Sophomore forward Kara Borzillo recorded a match-high five scores on Saturday afternoon at the De Baun Athletic Complex as the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team rolled to a 9-0 victory over Elmira College in Empire 8 play. With the win, the Ducks moved to an overall record of 11-3, which matches their win total from last season. They also own a conference record of 3-1. As for the Soaring Eagles, they dropped to 2-7 on the year with a 1-3 mark in league play.
Stevens, who out-shot Elmira by a 34-2 count on the day, reached the scoreboard first in the 15th-minute when junior midfielder Hillary Paul slapped a 15-yard shot into the left corner of the cage off a feed from Borzillo. The following minute, Borzillo notched her first of five goals in the contest on a cross-pass from sophomore midfielder Courtney Geddis. Shortly thereafter, the Ducks added to their lead when Borzillo tipped a shot into the right side of the net off a delivery from junior midfielder Allison Shields. Then, in the 27th-minute, Borzillo completed the hat trick after deflecting a Karen Federico shot into the left side of the cage.
In the second half, senior midfielder Stephanie Linder collected her first goal of the season on an unassisted effort at the 25:39 mark to give the Ducks a 5-0 advantage. Three minutes later, Geddis connected for her fourth marker of the year on a shot that found its way into the left corner of the net. In the 50th-minute, Borzillo struck again. This time, freshman forward Allison Basile found her at the left side of the field and Borzillo subsequently proceeded to place the ball in the right corner of the cage. Soon after, Borzillo registered her fifth and final score of the competition when she notched a tally off a feed from Federico. At last, in the 68th-minute, Basile capped off the scoring when she pushed a shot into the top-right corner of the net off a cross-pass from senior forward Beth Rychcik.
Stevens' goalkeepers Stephanie Smith and Ellyn Griggs each spent time in net to preserve the shutout while Elmira goaltenders Jalene McCulloch (Belleville, Ontario) and Allison Holsinger (Denton, Md.) combined to stop 12 shots. The Ducks also owned a 17-5 edge in penalty corners.
Head Coach Jessica Reed and her squad return to action this Wednesday when it begins a two-game road trip in Wayne, N.J. at William Paterson University. The opening face-off is slated for 7 p.m.
