HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 16, 2017)  – Senior Victoria Alvarez scored her sixth goal of the year to remain among the nation's scoring leaders, but the Stevens Institute of Technology Field Hockey team fell to St. John Fisher College, 3-2 in overtime Saturday. The matchup was the Empire 8 Conference opener for both teams.

"Today was a great battle between the two teams," head coach Meredith Spencer-Blaetz said. "While it was unfortunate to come up short, the team is finally starting to play as a unit and trust each other. We've faced a tough schedule so far and have learned a lot. I feel optimistic about what's to come from the Ducks."

Junior Regan Littell converted a first-half penalty stroke to open scoring and freshman Nicole Mottole made 10 saves for the Ducks, who fell to 1-4. 

Lauren Fazio scored the overtime-winner for the Cardinals, who moved to 4-1.

Alvarez snapped a 1-1 tie, redirecting a Janet Vill shot from just inside the scoring circle that snuck through a pair of Fisher defenders into the corner of the goal. The Pine Beach, New Jersey native came into the game tied for 30th in the country with 1.25 goals per game scoring average. 

Following Alvarez's tally, Mottole made three saves to preserve the Stevens lead, but Fisher knotted the score in the 63rd minute. Following a Fisher penalty corner, Emily Markarian, the 2016 E8 Player of the Year, pounced on the loose ball and directed it by Mottole to force overtime.

In the extra session, Mottole made a sliding stop to break up a Fisher breakaway, but was unable to repeat the dynamic feat a few plays later. Katelyn Slomba began the game-clinching play and Fazio redirected the ball over Mottole for the winning score.

The Cardinals outshot Stevens 30-16, including a 15-8 edge in shots on net. 

Vill recorded a pair of defensive saves for the Ducks.

Up Next: The Ducks host Cabrini University Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference matchup. The teams have alternated wins and losses over the last four meetings.

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