HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 15, 2008) – The No. 14 Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team fell in a thriller versus No. 14 William Paterson University on Wednesday night at the De Baun Athletic Complex. Stevens came back from a two-goal deficit in the second half, but WP's Christina Ayusa (Runnemede, N.J.) scored with 1:10 remaining in the contest to give the Pioneers a 3-2 lead they would not let slip away. The loss is the first at home for Stevens as the Ducks fall to 12-2 on the year. The win moves Paterson to 10-3.
In the first half, the two teams played even hockey as both squads had some good runs at the net. WP held a 7-6 advantage in shots and a 4-2 edge in penalty corners as each team tested the opposition's goalkeeper throughout. Stevens' Ellyn Griggs and William Paterson's Christina Auger (Wayne, N.J.) both made several nice stops.
Paterson got on the board in the 50th-minute of action when senior Meghan Hall (Turnersville, N.J.) angled in towards the goal from the top-right of the circle and was able to slip a shot passed Griggs. At the 58:08 mark the Pioneers went up 2-0 on Hall's second. The play began on a corner as the ball worked its way to Ayusa, who controlled, put a shot on goal and Hall was there to deflect it in. Hall's second tally was her 15th of the season.
Just 1:58 later, Stevens was able to cut the lead in half as senior Hillary Paul beat Auger to her left from 10 yards out. Paul's goal was assisted by fellow senior Allison Shields and was her seventh goal of the season.
The Ducks pulled even at 66:43 when junior Kara Borzillo found net for the 18th time this season. After a scrum to the left of the net, junior Jessica Ablonczy dug the ball loose and put a shot on goal. The shot deflected off Auger to Borzillo, who put it in for the score. Ablonczy recorded her fourth assist of '08 on the play.
Then, at 68:50, WP was able to notch the game-winner off a penalty corner. Hall eventually controlled, put a shot on goal, and Ayusa deflected it in from the win. Stevens had one final chance on a penalty corner but could not capitalize.
It was a great game as the Pioneers ended with a slight, 12-11 advantage in shots and a 7-5 edge in penalty corners.
The Ducks, who are presently atop the Empire 8 standings at 3-0, will return to conference play on Saturday when they host Hartwick College. The game is slated for a 3 p.m. start and will be webcast live on www.Empire8.tv. It will also be Senior Day as all five Stevens seniors will be honored prior to the game.
