Box Score HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 10, 2012) – The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team improved to 9-5 overall with a 3-1 win over William Paterson University Wednesday evening at the De Baun Athletic Complex. The Ducks will host Hartwick College in a key Empire 8 showdown Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. as part of Homecoming 2012.
 
Stevens dominated the first half of play, constantly pressing the Pioneers deep in their own zone, but despite a 14-2 margin in shots and 5-1 edge in penalty corners the Ducks were only able to score once.
 
That goal came 24:01 into the action when junior forward Marguerite Chavez (Oceanport, N.J.) worked her way to the right end line, and fired a cross to freshman midfielder Dailyn Brook (Cherry Hill, N.J.) on the left post for the score. It was the seventh goal of the year for Brook and third assist for Chavez.
 
The Ducks threatened throughout most of the opening period but were kept off the board further in large part because of seven saves from junior goalie Kellye Statz (Robbinsville, N.J.) and a gorgeous defensive stick save from senior forward Kelsey Rella (Mt. Laurel, N.J.).
 
Stevens pushed its lead to 2-0 13:33 into the second on a gorgeous goal from junior midfielder Chelsea Cresci (Wilmington, Del.) and junior back Megan Traub (Berkeley Heights, N.J.). Traub received the insert on a penalty corner and passed to Cresci at the top-left of the circle. Cresci controlled, dribbled towards the goal and passed to a cutting Traub who buried her shot on the left corner for her sixth score of the year.
 
Paterson showed some fight down 2-0, knocking on the Ducks' door for several chances before getting on the board in the 59th minute when freshman Angelica Giametta (Wayne, N.J.) tapped to freshman forward Felicia Wetzel (Hardyston, N.J.) after a scrum in front.
 
The guests continued to press but the Stevens defense of Traub, Cresci, junior Katie Achilles (Portsmouth, N.H.), junior Grace Ridge (Moorestown, N.J.) and senior Samantha Weisman (Fairfax, Va.) along with senior goalie Kaitlin McClymont (Corpus Christi, Texas) hung tough and waited for the Ducks to get some insurance.
 
That insurance came from senior forward Mary Nikish (Pittsford, N.Y.), who took it in from the right side of the circle, had her first shot saved by Statz, but stayed with it and lifted the rebound in for her fifth goal of the season with 7:04 to go.
 
Stevens ended with a 33-7 edge in shots and a 17-7 margin in penalty corners. Statz finished with 19 saves, while McClymont had three.
 
Prior to Saturday's 10:30 a.m. game against Hartwick, Stevens will honor its three seniors – Nikish, McClymont and Weisman. All the action can be seen live on www.Empire8.TV.
 
For your Stevens Athletics news “like” us on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/StevensAthletics) and “follow” us on Twitter @stevensducks (www.Twitter.com/StevensDucks).