HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 6, 2008) – Sophomore back Nicole Brand sealed the deal when she netted the fifth goal during the shootout against Middlebury College at the fifth-annual Stevens Engineering Cup on Saturday. For tournament purposes a winner was decided by penalty kicks after 110 minutes of play as the Ducks were victorious, 5-3. The game goes down officially as a 1-1 tie.
After a scoreless first half, junior midfielder Margaret Owen (Bozeman, Mont.) recorded her first goal of the season when she collected a long pass from junior midfielder Anne Ford (Dexter, Mich.). Owen put a move on Ducks' goalkeeper Jenn Pontier, who came out of the box as Owen buried the ball straight on.
With their backs against the wall the Ducks needed to get things rolling on the offensive end. It came just in time as sophomore forward Katria Misilo received a long pass from senior midfielder Salme Cook. Misilo was able to net the ball 10 yards out into the middle-left corner after 75 minutes of play.
Following two scoreless overtime periods the game officially ended as a 1-1 tie. However, for tournament purposes a winner had to be decided. The Ducks landed five goals to the Panther's three during the shootout.
Middlebury out-shot the Ducks 21-17 and out-cornered Stevens 9-5. Sophomore goalkeeper Lauryn Torch (Bronxville, N.Y.) made four saves on the day, while her opposition, Pontier pulled in six. Each keeper played all 110 minutes.
With the tie the Ducks move to 1-1-1 on the year as the Panthers open up their season 0-0-1.
Stevens will return to action on Sunday as it will face the Bears of Ursinus College in Day 2 of the Stevens Engineering Cup. Game time is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start.
NYU defeats Ursinus 4-2
Stevens was lucky enough to get its game in before the blistering winds and torrential down pour hit that Hoboken, N.J. However, New York University and Ursinus College somehow battled through it. Senior forward Sarah Pillemer (Ithaca, N.Y.) led the Violets with a goal and assist as NYU defeated the Bears 4-2 in Game 2 of the Stevens Engineering Cup.
Three quick goals by NYU gave the Violets a 3-0 advantage after 24 minutes of play. It all started off of an unassisted tally by junior midfielder Lucy Dolly Caires (Honolulu, Hawaii). She attempted to cross the ball in front of the net, however the ball split the defense without a member from Ursinus coming close to touching it as it rolled to the lower left corner of the net. Just 12 minutes later, sophomore forward Rebecca Assing (Greenwich, Conn.) found the back of the net as senior goalkeeper Lisa Clark (Media, Pa.) could not grasp the slippery ball. At the 24 minute mark Pillemer registered her assist when she crossed the ball for an easy tap in by sophomore midfielder Filiz Kipcakli (Port Washington, N.Y.).
Ursinus got on the board after junior midfielder Jess Gunzelman (Tabernacle, N.J.) passed the ball up to junior defender Melissa Reuter (Southampton, Pa.), who then lofted the ball in front of freshman midfielder Eleanor Jones (Portland, Ore.). Jones was able to then gather the ball and fired it through the lower left corner with six minutes remaining in the first half.
Following the mandatory 30 minute lightening delay, the officials called both teams onto the field to resume play. Ursinus was able to cut the lead to a goal (3-2) after freshman forward Angela Lenzo (Hightstown, N.J.) received a cross from junior forward Megan Ascanio (Exeter, Pa.). Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Walters (Babylon, N.Y.) tried to swipe the ball away but was unsuccessful as Lenzo tapped it in.
NYU finished the scoring in the 80th minute of play when Pillemer stole an attempted pass by a Ursinus player and buried it in the lower left corner.
NYU out-shot (28-9) and out-cornered Ursinus (13-3). Clark recorded 12 saves as Walters collected a save.
Both teams will have one more game to close out this year's Stevens Engineering Cup. NYU is slated to play Middlebury at Noon as the Bears will take on Stevens at 2:30 p.m. Livestats will be provided for both games as well as a free webcasting of the Stevens-Ursinus contest. It can be viewed at www.Empire8.tv.
