HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 8, 2014) – The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team fell by a score of 4-2 against New Paltz in a non-conference matchup at the DeBaun Athletic Complex Wednesday evening.
 
New Paltz moves to 8-4 with the win, while the Ducks fall to 5-8 in the loss. Stevens will move on to play a pair of key Empire 8 road games Saturday and Sunday at Elmira College and Utica College, respectively.
 
Stevens had the game's best chance in the early going, but freshman Victoria Alvarez (Pine Beach, N.J.) was denied via a defensive save from junior Sarah Sansone (New City, N.Y.) following a great individual effort off the near post.
 
After creating several quality chances off the penalty corner, the New Paltz jumped out to a 1-0 edge in the 12th minute when sophomore Kayla McKeveny (Holbrook, N.Y.) was able to put in a shot thanks to an assist from sophomore Erin Landy (Glenmont, N.Y.).
 
New Paltz – which controlled much of the possession and field position in the first half – was able to go on top 2-0 thanks to a great effort from McKeveny. On the play, McKeveny carried in along the left end line, warding off two defenders before scoring.
 
Early in the second half, Stevens nearly sliced the Hawks' lead in half when junior Dailyn Brook (Cherry Hill, N.J.) inserted to junior midfielder Erin Silvestri (Bevkerly, Mass.). Silvestri controlled before hammering a shot on goal that squarely hit the left post before deflecting out of bounds.
 
Moments later, the Ducks were able to trim the margin to one (2-1) when Brook buried her ninth goal of the year, converting a penalty stroke with 28:39 left in regulation.
 
New Paltz was able to answer with 17:29 to go, but the Ducks fought back within one, getting a score from freshman forward Victoria Alvarez (Pine Beach, N.J.). Alvarez received a pass from sophomore midfielder Nolie Prouty (Glendora, Calif.) and the rookie lifted a shot from the right side that eventually deflected in off a New Paltz defender.
 
The Hawks notched a back-breaking score with 7:29 to play, pushing their lead back to two goals (4-2) when a marvelous save from Stevens' sophomore goalie Emily Stukenborg (Stockholm, N.J.) resulted in a rebound and score for freshman Justine O'Reilly (West Sayville, N.Y.).
 
Stevens had three solid chances late – two off penalty corners and one more on a cross – but junior goalie Alayna Wageman (Getzville, N.Y.) and the New Paltz defense was able to keep the Ducks off the board the rest of the way.
 
Stukenborg made 15 saves on the day for Stevens as New Paltz finished with a 30-14 edge in shots. The guests also had a 17-7 margin in corners and placed 20 shots on the goal. Freshman Cassidy O'Hearn (Silver Spring, Md.) tallied her team-high fifth defensive save of the season for the Ducks in the loss.
 
Visit www.stevensducks.com on Saturday and Sunday for links to follow Stevens on the road.
 
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