HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 8, 2008) – Freshman Jillian Price scored the first two goals of her career, and sophomore Lauren Griggs put the No.18 Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team on top for good in the game's 12th-minute as the Ducks cruised to a 4-1 victory over Drew University on Wednesday night at the De Baun Athletic Complex. It is the 11th win in 12 tries for Stevens, and on this night it was in front of a Duck Country crowd decked out in “Whacky Costumes.”
Once again, it was clear within the first five minutes of the game that Stevens (11-1) would be able to control the action. Though the Ducks did not have a great deal of early opportunities, they controlled possession.
The Stevens midfield played well all night as senior Kerri Polidore, senior Allison Shields, junior Jessica Ablonczy, and freshman Mallory Swanson refused to allow the ball to leave the Drew zone.
Shields also set up the first goal of the game. The senior made a long pass through the middle of the circle to the stick of Griggs who was able to control and get the score. It was the second goal of the season for Griggs and fourth assist for Shields.
At the 21:14 mark of the first half Stevens went up 2-0 as junior Kara Borzillo put in her team-high 16th goal of 2008. Polidore made a cross from right to left across the mouth of the goal, and Borzillo was able to lift her shot up and over Drew goalkeeper Lauren Fasano (Branchville, N.J.).
A little more than five minutes later, Price scored the first of her two goals off of a flawless Borzillo feed. Borzillo controlled about ten yards from the end line and eight yards wide of the net and crossed to a wide-open Price on the opposite side of the goal.
Stevens ended the first half with a 6-1 advantage in shots.
In the game's 55th-minute, Price tallied her second. Again, she was in the right spot as senior Hillary Paul set the rookie up perfectly with a pass to the right post, and Price was able to tap it in.
Drew (6-7) was able to get on the board with 6:18 left in the contest on a Mary Esposito (Woolwich, N.J.) goal, but the final outcome was already clear.
Sophomore Ellyn Griggs started in goal for Stevens. She played the first 35 minutes of the contest before senior Stephanie Smith came on to play the second half. Griggs was credited with the win and moves to a perfect 9-0 on the season.
Stevens ended the contest with an 11-2 advantage in shots and a 5-1 edge in penalty corners.
The Ducks now move into a period where they play five games in the next 14 days. Two will be in Hoboken and three will be on the road. The first contest of this intense stretch will be on Sunday when the Ducks will visit Utica College at 1 p.m. Both teams are undefeated in Empire 8 play as Stevens is 2-0 and Utica is 3-0. The game can be seen live on www.Empire.tv.
