UTICA, N.Y. (October 12, 2008) – The No. 18 Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team continued its amazing 2008 with a well-earned, 2-1 win over Utica College on Sunday afternoon in Utica, N.Y. Stevens (12-1) fell behind 2:13 into the game but pulled out the victory with two second half goals. Junior Kara Borzillo got the Ducks even in the 56th-minute and senior tri-captain Allison Shields scored her second game-winning goal of the season with 5:22 remaining in the contest.
UC sophomore defender Lucy Papia (Williamsville, N.Y.) redirected junior Elizabeth Knudsen's (Rome, N.Y.) initial shot on goal, and Stephanie Smith could not get a pad on the tipped shot as the Pioneers took a 1-0 lead. Papia's first collegiate goal was also the first shot of the contest.
Smith played the entire game in net as she moves to 3-1 on the year. The senior was credited with three saves.
Following the Utica tally, play moved to the other side of the field for much of the game. The Ducks outshot Utica 19-5 on the day and also earned a 17-3 penalty corner advantage, including 11 in the first half alone. Stevens also put 14 shots on goal compared to just four for the Pioneers.
Stevens (12-1 overall, 3-0 Empire 8) had many chances throughout but could not convert until the conference's leading scorer, Borzillo, put home her 17th goal of the season to knot the game at 1-1. McDonnell made the initial save but Borzillo was there to lift the rebound into the upper half of the goal. The two points Borzillo earned on the goal were her 99th and 100th of her career.
Exactly eight minutes later Shields scored the game-winner. The senior received a penalty corner pass at the top of the arc from junior Erin Broderick and dished it off to junior Jessica Ablonczy. Ablonczy then gave it back to Shields who sent a wrist shot at the cross bar above McDonnell's head. The ball ricocheted off the cross bar and straight down into the goal. It was the fourth goal of the season for Shields and the third assist for Ablonczy.
Utica keeper Amanda McDonnell (Sagamore Beach, Mass.) was very strong in goal. She made 12 saves and fended off a plethora of Duck penalty corners.
Stevens will return to action on Wednesday evening to host No. 19 William Paterson University at the De Baun Athletic Complex. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. as all the action can be seen live at www.Empire8.tv.
