POMONA, N.J. (September 5, 2009) – Despite two goals from sophomore forward Kathleen Schuckers the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to Richard Stockton College in the final match of the 2009 Stockton Classic in Pomona, N.J. The Ducks now fall to 0-3 on the young season, while the Ospreys, picked to finish third in the always competitive New Jersey Athletic Conference, moved to 2-1 on the season as they continue their quest to earn a fourth-straight NCAA Tournament berth.
Schuckers got the Ducks off to a great start early in the match, netting her first collegiate marker on an unassisted goal in the ninth minute that gave Stevens a 1-0 advantage. The Ospreys would respond before the end of the half, however, with senior forward Laura O'Shea's (Petersburg, N.J.) equalizer in the 25th minute off of an assist from senior midfielder Melissa Scully (Gloucester Twp., N.J.).
O'Shea would help Stockton break the deadlock in the 68th minute, assisting on junior forward Leah Pocoroba's (Galloway, N.J.) go-ahead goal, but with just 6:07 remaining in regulation, Schuckers struck again, connecting on a 25-yard free-kick forcing the extra frame.
The Ospreys, who held an 18-8 shots advantage and a 10-1 corner edge, continued to push forward in the overtime session, generating two shots in the shortened stanza to the Ducks' one. Then, with just 1:02 left in overtime, Stockton senior midfielder Courtney Dougherty (Ocean City, N.J.), sealed the Osprey win, converting a penalty kick awarded on a Stevens' handball.
Juniors Mary Chew, Katria Misilo, and Kate Stewart all recorded shots in the loss, with Chew joining Schuckers as the only Ducks who registered a shot on goal.
Stevens freshman Teegan Kelly made five saves in her first start in net, while freshman counterpart Maria Dorris (Mantua, N.J.) made two saves in the win.
The Ducks return home to face Montclair State University on September 9 before hosting the Sixth Annual Stevens Engineering Cup on September 12 and 13, featuring Allegheny College, New York University, and Ursinus College.
