HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 9, 2008) – The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team is the champion of the Empire 8. The No. 1 seed Ducks had little trouble in a 3-1 win over second-seeded Washington & Jefferson College on Sunday afternoon at the De Baun Athletic Complex in the 2008 Empire Field Hockey Championship final. Senior tri-captain Hillary Paul scored two goals and fellow captain Allison Shields was named the championship's most valuable player as Stevens earned its first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Stevens was just as dominant in the final as it was in the semifinal versus Ithaca College. The Ducks came out scorching as it was clear they had a purpose from the opening whistle. Right from the jump, Stevens maintained possession deep in the Washington & Jefferson zone, generating many solid scoring chances.
Paul got the Ducks on the board at 7:45 of the first as the senior put in her 11th goal of the season and second of the tournament. Shields crossed from right to left in front of the goal. Paul shot, controlled her own rebound and knocked in the second chance from 10 yards out.
The Stevens midfield played extremely well in the first stanza, challenging W&J any time it had possession and consistently putting the ball deep the in Presidents' zone.
The Ducks ended the first with a dominating 9-0 lead in shots, a 5-0 advantage in penalty corners, and every ounce of momentum.
Stevens opened the second half with a relentless offensive attack. The Ducks went up 2-0 when Shields got the ball back after her initial hit on a corner, controlled, then crossed in front to rookie Jillian Price who was there to deflect it home. It was the fourth goal of the year for Price and seventh assist for Shields.
W&J answered less than 12 minutes later to pull within one. Freshman Hannah Lott (Aspers, Pa.) was able to put home a Laura Peery (Pittsburgh, Pa.) feed after a President corner. It was Lott's fourth goal of the season.
The Washington & Jefferson goal seemed to light a fire under Stevens as the Ducks (18-3) put the game away 1:19 later. Senior Kerri Polidore controlled a corner hit at the top left of the circle, slid the ball to Paul who ripped a shot to the left of W&J goalkeeper Shelby Colyer (Oxford, Ohio). It was Paul's third goal in two games and Polidore's third helper of the season.
The Stevens defense was once again fantastic as junior Erin Broderick, captain Casey Scherck, and junior Elizabeth Zmijewski refused to let the Presidents (12-7) establish anything threatening on the offensive side of the field.
Ellyn Griggs earned her 13th win in goal for Stevens. She was credited with one save as Stevens ended the contest with a 15-2 lead in shots and a 10-2 edge in corners.
Stevens will find out its NCAA Tournament opponent tomorrow. Continue to check StevensDucks.com for updates regarding the Ducks' upcoming tournament schedule.
Check back later tonight or tomorrow for a championship photo gallery.
