HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 24, 2008) – Senior tri-captain Allison Shields scored 6:44 into overtime to lift the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team to a 3-2 win over Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham on Wednesday night at the De Baun Athletic Complex. Shields' shot was a blast from 15-yards away that flat-out beat FDU goalkeeper Jamie SanFillippo (Succasunna, N.J.). It was her third goal of the season as the Ducks move their record to a sparkling 9-0.
It was an interesting contest as Stevens held a 19-12 advantage in shots taken, but the Devils of FDU out-cornered the Ducks, 11-3.
Stevens controlled the ball and possession for much of the first half, but FDU (3-5) battled and played solid hockey in the second stanza before the Ducks overwhelmed the Devils in overtime.
Stevens got out of the gate quickly, getting several quality scoring chances early and finally converting when junior Kara Borzillo scored her 13th goal of the season. Senior Hillary Paul took a shot that bounced off SanFilippo and Borzillo was there to put in the rebound. Paul was credited with her fifth assist of the season as the goal came in the 23rd-minute of the contest.
The Ducks pushed the score to 2-0 in the 37th-minute when freshman Mallory Swanson put in a Borzillo rebound for her third goal of the season. Borzillo was credited with her team-high sixth assist of the season.
Christina Fabian (Cinnaminson, N.J.) put the Devils on her shoulders in the second half as the junior scored two goals less than 14 minutes apart. The first came when she was able to put in a shot from 10-yards out, and the second came after a scrum in front. The goals were Fabian's fifth and sixth of season.
The final seven-plus minutes of regulation were intense as both teams had solid scoring chances. The best chance came when Stevens' Paul had back-to-back shots on goal after making several nice moves with the ball. SanFilippo was up for the task as the senior keeper made two enormous saves.
In overtime it was clear the Ducks had a lot left as they outshot the Devils 3-1 and had control through most of the period.
Shields' goal was her first game-winner of the season.
Ellyn Griggs earned her eighth win of the season in goal. The sophomore made four saves. SanFilippo did all she could for FDU, stopping 11 Stevens shots.
Stevens beat No. 14 Juniata College in overtime in its second game of the season for the only other extra-time win of the season.
The Ducks will take six days off before returning to action at No. 9 Rowan University on Wednesday, October 1, at 7:30 p.m.
