Box Score

Game-Winning Goal

HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 5, 2013) – Senior forward Marguerite Chavez (Oceanport, N.J.) tapped in a rebound 7:36 into overtime to lift the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team to a thrilling 4-3 win over defending Empire 8 Champion Utica College Saturday night at the De Baun Athletic Complex.
 
With the win, Stevens now controls its own destiny and ability to host the 2013 Empire 8 Tournament. The Ducks are now 4-0 in the conference (7-3 overall), while Utica falls to 3-1 in the Empire 8 and 8-3 overall. Stevens has a one-game lead on Utica and St. John Fisher who are in second and third place, respectively in the conference standings.
 
Utica scored 3:02 into the game after a broken penalty corner. Junior back Amanda Charles (Liverpool, N.Y.) inserted and eventually received the ball in front. Her first shot was denied by senior back Katie Achilles (Portsmouth, N.H.) but she stuck with the play and eventually snuck a shot inside the left post.
 
The Pioneers looked poised to go up 2-0 with a penalty stroke but the bid banged off the left post and Stevens took advantage, tying the game at one on a penalty corner at the 10:52 mark. On the play, senior forward Marguerite Chavez (Oceanport, N.J.) inserted to classmate and fellow captain Megan Traub (Berekley Heights, N.J.) who ripped a big shot on goal that deflected up and in off a Utica defender. It was the seventh goal of the season for Traub and eighth helper for Chavez.
 
In the middle portions of the first half, the Ducks controlled field position and possession, generating a plethora of chances that Utica goalie Kells Casey (Sandwich, Mass.) turned away or shots taken just missed. The Ducks would eventually take the lead with a Chavez attempt getting denied but finding the stick of sophomore Dailyn Brook (Cherry Hill, N.J.) on the left post for a score and a 2-1 Stevens lead.
 
The Pioneers turned up the pressure immediately following the Stevens goal with freshman goalie Emily Stukenborg (Stockholm, N.J.) making one stop, and senior back Katie Achilles (Portsmouth, N.H.) stuffing another Utica attack.
 
Stevens took a 2-1 lead into the intermission, holding a 16-7 margin in shots and 10-3 edge in penalty corners.
 
In the opening moments of the second half, Utica was able to generate four penalty corners, with the fourth resulting in the second goal of the game for Charles and a 2-2 score.
 
Chavez answered for the Ducks, creating on a breakaway in front that resulted in a stroke she converted for a 3-2 lead with 25:14 remaining.
 
Utica threatened to tie with 16 minutes left with a 2-on-none break, but Stukenborg disrupted the play and by the time a Pioneer shot was taken, Stevens had recovered and the attempt sailed wide of the cage.
 
The Pioneers eventually tied the game with less than seven minutes left as junior Hannah Mackey (Locke, N.Y.) put home a pass from junior Chasity Eckert (Afton, N.Y.) to essentially send the game into extra time.
 
Each team had a couple solid chances early in the overtime as Utica was in control over the first couple minutes, and the Ducks took charge over the next few.
 
The game-winner came after a broken penalty corner in which freshman Nolie Prouty (Glendora, Calif.) fought her way into the circle with some nice moves and took a shot that Casey was able to get her left pad on. The ball slid under the pad to the goalie's right where Chavez was located and the senior lunged to her right and tapped in the game-winner that capped an amazingly well played game for both sides.
 
Chavez finished with two goals and two assists for a total of six points. The Ducks ended with a 20-8 edge in corners and a 31-14 margin in shots.
 
Stukenborg made three saves for Stevens. Casey denied 12 Stevens shots in the loss.
 
Stevens will visit SUNY New Paltz Wednesday before returning home for Fisher Saturday in a key conference showdown. Saturday's game against the Cardinals will be webcast live at www.Empire8.TV.