WASHINGTON, Pa. (November 1, 2008) – Sophomore forward Lauren Griggs scored two first-half goals as the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team defeated host Washington & Jefferson College 2-1 on Saturday to clinch the top seed for this year's Empire 8 Field Hockey Championship. The Ducks will take on the fourth-seeded Bombers of Ithaca College in the opening round of the league championship. With today's performance, Griggs has totaled four goals on the year as the Ducks close out regular-season play with an overall record of 16-3 and a flawless 6-0 Empire 8 ledger.
Griggs, last season's Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, saved her biggest game of 2008 for the last game of the regular season. Both goals were unassisted as Griggs put her first in at 14:13 and her second at 30:47. The sophomore netted both shots she took on the afternoon.
The first goal began with senior Kerri Polidore taking a free hit on the right side from 25 yards out. Polidore placed the hit in the middle of the circle and eventually the ball ricocheted off W&J (10-6 overall, 4-2 Empire 8) goalkeeper Shelby Colyer (Oxford, Ohio). Griggs found it and put a shot past the keeper to put the Ducks up 1-0.
The next goal originated with senior Hillary Paul as she crossed in front from the left side. A scrum ensued and Griggs was able to control and lift a shot over a fallen Colyer.
Stevens was outshot 10-7 in the first half and 20-11 for the game as Ellyn Griggs made a season-high nine saves in goal for the Ducks. She moves to 11-2 on the year. The Ducks were also out-cornered 15-8.
Juniors Erin Broderick and Elizabeth Zmijewski made big time plays for the Ducks as Broderick made a defensive save in the first half, and Zmijewski did the same in the second.
The Presidents' Carley Riggin (Wexford, Pa.) scored a goal to cut the lead in half with 18:30 remaining in the contest but the Ducks' defense held strong for the win.
This is the first conference championship in the history of Stevens field hockey as the sport is in only its fifth year as a varsity program at Stevens.
Stevens will host the tournament and take on Ithaca, who played its way in with a 5-0 win over Elmira College on Saturday. The other matchup will be between No. 3 Hartwick College and No. 2 Washington & Jefferson. The games will be Saturday and Sunday with the times to be determined.
