HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 10, 2009) – Senior midfielder Jessica Ablonczy totaled three points and was a force all over the field as the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team rolled over Utica College, 3-0, on a cold and windy Saturday night at the De Baun Athletic Complex. The Stevens defense was suffocating all evening, limiting Utica to a total of four shots and the Ducks were able to record their sixth shutout of the season. Junior Lauren Griggs and freshman Marguerite Chavez tallied the other Stevens goals.
Stevens (10-2 overall, 3-0 Empire 8) took the early lead at the 5:57 mark and never looked back. Ablonczy beat two defenders to make her way into the striking circle. She quickly stopped and ripped a shot one foot off the ground and Griggs, who was in front, was able to deflect it past Utica (7-4 overall, (3-1 Empire 8) goalkeeper Monica Storms (Oswego, N.Y.) for the goal. It was the third assist of the season for Ablonczy and third goal for Griggs.
Utica had several decent chances midway through the second but one of Rebecca Corsones (Hurley, N.Y.) shots was blocked and the other was saved by junior goalkeeper Ellyn Griggs.
The Ducks went into the break with a 1-0 lead. Stevens ended the period with a 4-2 edge in shots a 4-0 advantage in corners.
Stevens came out strong in the second half and did an excellent job forcing the action and keeping the ball in the Utica zone. The Ducks took a 2-0 lead at the 50:53 mark and once again, Ablonczy was in the middle of it. Senior Kara Borzillo got a good look off of a penalty corner but Storms was up to the task and made the save. The rebound bounced to a Utica player and the Pioneers were looking to mount a counter attack, but Ablonczy swooped in, made a clean steal and passed to Lauren Griggs is front. Griggs took a shot that looked to go in but Storms made an amazing recovery to swipe the ball off the line. The rebound went right to Chavez who put it home for the score. It was her fourth of the season.
Ablonczy put the game away 7:26 later with a laser from the top of the circle. Sophomore Meghan Broderick received a pass just outside the right side of the circle and made a couple of nice touches before crossing to Ablonczy. The senior controlled at the top and fired a rocket into the right corner for her first goal of the season. It was Broderick's third helper of '09.
The entire Stevens defense and midfield was phenomenal all night and the entire team showed a lot in bouncing back strong from a double overtime loss at Drew University on Wednesday night. Freshman Sam Weisman, sophomore Mallory Swanson, Ablonczy, sophomore Jillian Price, freshman Christina Sedberry, Borzillo, freshman Nicole Pfeil, and senior Elizabeth Zmijewski all did their part in an emphatic conference shutout.
In its three conference wins this season, Stevens has outscored their opponents 7-0 and has now won 13-straight contests against Empire 8 foes (three postseason, 10 regular-season).
Ellyn Griggs got her 10th win of the season in goal, she was credited with two saves.
Stevens will return to action at national power William Paterson University on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
