HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 23, 2009) – The No. 18 Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team defeated Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham, 2-1 on Wednesday night at Shields Field in Madison, N.J. Sophomore Mallory Swanson tallied her fourth goal of the season and freshman Marguerite Chavez registered a goal and an assist to lead the Ducks to their fourth win in a row. Junior goalkeeper Ellyn Griggs earned her sixth win of the season in goal, making four saves.
The Ducks, who are now 6-1 on the season, took 14 shots on the night and held the Devils to just seven. Each squad took a total of eight penalty corners with the Ducks taking six in the first half and the Devils (2-6) taking six in the second.
Stevens took the lead for good at the 19:55 mark after a penalty corner. Chavez found Swanson who was able to put in her team-high fourth goal of the season. The first half ended with the Ducks holding a 7-4 edge in shots after controlling the ball and field position throughout the game's opening 35 minutes.
In the 63rd minute, Chavez found the back of the cage with an unassisted tally for some Stevens insurance. It was her third goal of the year and first game-winner. She now is leading the squad with a total of 10 points (three goals, four assists).
Jackie Gale (New Vernon, N.J.) converted a penalty corner from junior midfielder Ellen Siracuse (Kingston, Pa.) with 3:29 to play to make things interesting and end a streak in which the Ducks did not allow a goal for more than 288 minutes of game time. The Ducks' defensive buckled down and kept the Devils off of the board the rest of the way to secure the win.
FDU's freshman goalkeeper Meghan O'Neil (Highlands, N.J.) made seven saves in the loss.
Stevens will return to the field on Friday night when it hosts the University of Scranton at 7 p.m. It will be Homecoming Weekend 2009 at Stevens so all fans are strongly encouraged to come out to the field and support the nationally ranked Ducks. For those unable to attend, the game will be webcast live at www.Empire8.tv.
