HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 23, 2010) – Junior captain Mallory Swanson tallied a goal with 8:17 left in the second overtime period to lift the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team to 2-1 win over visiting Fairleigh Dickinson University on Thursday afternoon in game that began Wednesday night and was suspended due to heavy storms. Sophomore Mary Nikish tallied the other Stevens goal in a win that improves the Ducks to 2-5 overall (1-0 Empire 8).
Stevens controlled the ball and field position in the first half but could not get on the board as each team took a total of just three shots.
In the second half, the Ducks found the back of the net 3:09 in as Nikish was able to lift a shot past FDU goalkeeper Tess Loughran (Newton, N.J.) after a scrum in front of the goal.
The Ducks had many chances to go up 2-0 but could not capitalize on several strong opportunities in front and FDU's freshman keeper was phenomenal.
The Devils tied the game at one with 5:34 remaining in the game on a tally from midfielder Kelsey Kistle (Sandyston, N.J.). The sophomore shot from the top-right of the circle and the ball was deflected by Stevens goalie Ellyn Griggs.
Stevens dominated play in the overtime generating four corners and six shots but Loughran made four marvelous stops to keep FDU alive. When the contest was suspended, Stevens held a 23-6 edge in shots and a 12-3 advantage in corners.
Once play was resumed, FDU applied some pressure against the Ducks over the course of the final two minutes of the first overtime but did not really challenge Griggs or the Stevens defense. After starting with possession in the second over time, the Devils kept it in the Ducks zone for a while but once again were unable to generate many strong chances.
Stevens eventually got out of its own zone and created several chances on the offensive end, most notably freshman Caitlin Chamberlain firing just wide on a one-timer.
After their second penalty corner of the second OT, the Ducks were able to find the game-winner. Senior Karen Federico controlled the initial hit out by freshman Grace Ridge and slid a pass to her right to junior Jillian Price. Price made a move back towards the middle of the circle and found Swanson open on the right post for the score. It was the first goal of the year for Swanson and first assist for Price.
Stevens ended the game with a 27-6 advantage in shots and a 14-4 edge in penalty corners. Loughran made a total of 14 saves, while Griggs made one.
Stevens will look to earn their third-straight victory when it travels to Utica College on Saturday morning at 10:30.
