HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 3, 2012) – Despite two goals from sophomore midfielder Jillian Fiebel (Roxbury, N.J.), the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team fell to No. 10 Montclair State University by a score of 3-2 Wednesday night at the De Baun Athletic Complex. The Ducks battled back from a 3-0 hole but were unable to find the equalizer, dropping to 7-5 on the season. The Red Hawks improved to 11-1 with the win.
 
Montclair controlled the action and field position through much of the first half but could only put one goal on the board, taking a 1-0 margin into the intermission. The Red Hawks scored their marker in the 22nd minute when junior Brooke Hullings (Delran, N.J.) crossed in front after penalty-corner insert worked its way to her on the right side of the circle. Junior midfielder Jennifer Tafro (Little Falls, N.J.) was able to connect with Hullings' airborne pass and drive it into the lower-left corner for the score.
 
Montclair had several other excellent chances but Stevens goalie Kaitlin McClymont (Corpus Christi, Texas) made a trio of diving saves to hold the score at 1-0.
 
After an early penalty corner, Stevens' best chance came at the end of the first half when it received three-straight penalty corners, the final pair with the clock showing 00:00. On those corners the Ducks generated several shots but the Montclair defense was up to the task.
 
MSU ended the first with a 13-4 margin in shots and a 7-6 edge in penalty corners.
 
The visitors quickly extended their lead in the second half, when senior midfielder Frances Schaefer (Egg Harbor City, N.J.) snuck a shot from the top of the circle into the cage for the score. Tafro recorded her third point of the game on the play. Montclair than went up 3-0 in the 52nd minute when Tafro found junior midfielder Allison Jillions (Hainesport, N.J.) for the score.
 
Despite trailing 3-0, the Ducks seemed to grab some momentum, pressuring the Red Hawks through the last 20 minutes of game time.
 
Before Montclair's third goal, Stevens looked to be on the board, but unfortunately for the Ducks, prior to a shot going in, a penalty stroke was awarded to the hosts. That attempt was denied and the score held at 3-0. Stevens made it a 3-1 game when Fiebel stayed with a rebound, eventually notching the score for her third goal of the season. Fiebel struck again 4:02 later to make it a one-goal contest with 5:43 remaining, battling through several MSU defenders into the left side of the circle and putting a shot on goal that deflected up and into the upper-right corner of the cage.
 
Stevens' final chance to tie came on a penalty corner with 2:42 remaining but it could not convert, and the Red Hawks hung on for the win.
 
The Ducks ended with a 13-7 margin in corners, while MSU finished with a 15-13 margin in shots. McClymont and Montclair goalie Megan Bosland (Boonton, N.J.) each made six saves.
 
The two goals for Stevens mark just the third time in 12 games Montclair St. has allowed more than one goal. The Red Hawks had shutout their last three opponents and allowed just two goals in their last six outings.
 
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