HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 18, 2008) – The No. 14 Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team earned a 1-0 win on Senior Day over Hartwick College at the De Baun Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon. The Ducks got a first half tally off the stick of junior Erin Broderick in the 21st-minute as the Stevens midfield and defense held the Hawks at bay throughout the final 48-plus minutes of action. Stevens moves to a perfect 4-0 in the Empire 8 and 13-2 overall. Hartwick falls to 2-2 in the conference and 4-9 overall.
The game opened with Hartwick controlling field position and possession for the first five minutes. However, that quickly changed as Stevens controlled all facets of the game over the last 65:00 minutes of action. The Ducks finished the game with a 12-1 lead in shots, a ridiculous 20-2 advantage in corners, and what seemed like 99 percent of the possession.
Stephanie Smith was in goal for Stevens. The senior earned the win on Senior Day as she moves to 4-1 this season and 35-22 for her career. Sophomore Mackenzie Chapman (Niskayuna, N.Y.) was in net for Hartwick. She made six saves in the loss and was under constant pressure from the Stevens offense.
The Duck goal came off one of their 20 penalty corners. The ball was tossed in front by senior Hillary Paul as junior Kara Borzillo controlled, made a pass to Broderick who was in perfect position on the left post for the goal. It was Broderick's fourth goal of '08 and Borzillo's eighth assist. Paul took four shots on the afternoon, putting two on goal.
The shutout was the 10th of 2008 as the Stevens defense and midfield once again just would not allow the Hawks to get into its zone. Seniors Allison Shields and Kerri Polidore were both good throughout the contest as junior Jessica Ablonczy and freshman Mallory Swanson were both solid in the midfield as well. Shields ended the contest with four shots, three on goal and made her presence felt all over the field.
The Ducks' defense of senior Casey Scherck, junior Elizabeth Zmijewski, and Broderick was impenetrable all day as Hartwick's one shot of the afternoon came after a corner and was stopped without issue by Smith.
With the win, the Ducks tie the program record for wins in a season (13), and they also clinched a berth in the Empire 8 Tournament for the first time in program history.
Stevens will return to action at SUNY New Paltz on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. The Ducks return to conference play when they visit Elmira College on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
