HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 12, 2008) – Junior midfielder/forward Erica Risch tallied her third goal of the season off a double assist to propel the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team past Drew University Wednesday night in Hoboken, N.J. during the opening round of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Metro Championship. Stevens (13-5-2), who was awarded the No. 1 seed for tournament play, will host Kean University on Saturday at 11 a.m.
After a scoreless first half that saw the Ducks lead in shots (11-3) and corners (4-1), Stevens got on the board first off the foot of senior forward Meghan Tennyson. She recorded her second goal of the season on an unassisted score from about 15 yards out. Tennyson intercepted a defender's pass and lobbed the ball over the goal keeper's head (from right to left), just inside the box to find the top-left corner.
The Rangers responded at the 66-minute mark when senior midfielder Cailin McGrorry (Avon, N.J.) found freshman forward Abby Dingle (Metuchen, N.J.) for her second collegiate goal. On the play, McGrorry sent a nice through ball to Dingle, who ripped a shot from 25 yards out that sailed over the outstretched arms of sophomore keeper Jenn Pontier.
Around 12 minutes later, Risch drilled the game-winner on a laser of a shot from 30 yards out. A pair of assists were awarded on the play as sophomore Sonia Kappeler dished a great through ball to junior midfielder Leslie Kallberg. Kallberg sent a touch pass to Risch, who buried the ball straight on, right over senior goalkeeper Ann Mularz (Linden, N.J.).
The defense for the Ducks played phenomenal. Headed by seniors Salme Cook and Audra Clark as well as sophomore Mary Chew, the squad helped to preserve the win and relieve any pressure for the Stevens' goalkeepers. Drew was held to only three shots, two of which were on goal. The Ducks posted a total of 24 shots (14 on goal) and out-cornered the Rangers 6-1. Mularz was credited with the loss after she gathered 12 saves to fall 8-8-3 on the year. Pontier was awarded the win (8-3-2) for her 45 minutes in goal as she allowed the lone score. Freshman keeper Kaitlin McClymont started the contest as she pulled in a save.
Stevens will take on Kean at 11 a.m. in Hoboken, N.J. on Saturday in the semifinals of the ECAC Metro Division Championship. The Ducks did not take on the Cougars in 2008 as Kean advanced to the semifinal round with a 2-0 win over William Paterson University Wednesday evening. Live stats will be provided for the matchup.
