HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 8, 2009) – The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team won its second-straight Empire 8 Championship on Sunday afternoon with a 3-1 victory over third-seeded Washington & Jefferson College. Freshman Mary Nikish, sophomore Meghan Broderick, and senior Kara Borzillo scored the Stevens goals, and senior Erin Broderick was named the Empire 8 Championship game Most Valuable Player. Stevens, now 17-3 on the year, will move on to the 2009 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship after earning the Empire 8's automatic berth.
Unlike the 5-0 win over Ithaca College on Saturday afternoon in the semifinals, Stevens had to battle back from an early hole in this one. The Presidents were able to get on the board at the 4:55 mark after a penalty corner. Sophomore Hannah Lott (Aspers, Pa.) hit out to the top of the circle where junior Kolby Seidel (Oley, Pa.) was waiting. Seidel blasted a shot towards the cage and junior goalkeeper Ellyn Griggs (Hillsborough, N.J.) was able to make the initial save, but the rebound went to an open Erin Barno (Camp Hill, Pa.) who punched it in for the goal.
The Ducks did not blink, came right back and really took control of the action, refusing to allow the ball out of the Presidents' zone for most of the first half. W&J goalkeeper Roslynn Reynoso (Fall Brook, Calif.) made nine saves to help the Presidents hold their lead, but eventually the Ducks were able to break through.
After a penalty corner, sophomore Mallory Swanson took a shot from the top of the circle. Reynoso made the stop but the rebound trickled to Nikish on the right post, and she put it in for the score. It was the first goal of her career and an enormous goal for the Ducks.
Stevens took the lead for good 6:21 later on a picture-perfect tally. Freshman Marguerite Chavez had the ball on the right side of the striking circle. She made a move towards the goal and crossed to Borzillo, who then tapped to Meghan Broderick in front. Broderick was perfectly positioned on the left post to give the Ducks a 2-1 edge.
Stevens took the lead and all the momentum into the break. The Ducks held a 19-3 advantage in shots and out-cornered W&J 10-1 over the first 35 minutes.
The first 20 minutes of the second half saw no real scoring chances for either team as possession was maintained in the middle third of the field.
Stevens regained control of the game late and put things away with 3:58 to play. After a corner, Erin Broderick, penetrated down the middle from the top of the circle with some nice stick work, and at the last possible moment, made a perfect pass to Borzillo on the left post. Borzillo lunged and scored her 10th goal of the season and third goal of the conference tournament.
The Ducks dominated the game on the stat sheet and ended with a 25-4 advantage in shots. Stevens took 17 corners compared to just two for W&J (8-8). Reynoso was the hard-luck loser in goal. The sophomore ended the day with 11 saves and three goals against. Junior Ellyn Griggs made three stops for Stevens, and got the win.
The Ducks have now won 17-straight games against conference opponents dating back to the final day of the 2007 regular season and will now compete in the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship for the second time in as many years.
The Ducks' senior class of Borzillo, Elizabeth Zmijewski, Erin Broderick, Megan Clifford, and Jessica Ablonczy is now 60-22 over the last four seasons.
Stevens will now await its draw in the NCAA Tournament. That announcement will come on Monday.
