HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 30, 2019) – Junior Allison Buffenbarger beat FDU-Florham goalkeeper Megan March and sophomore Ducks' goalkeeper Emily Franco made a diving save to stop Haleigh Flukey in the seventh penalty stroke of the contest to give the Stevens Institute of Technology Field Hockey team a thrilling 3-2 victory over FDU-Florham Wednesday at DeBaun Athletic Complex.

With the win, Stevens snapped the Devils' 11-game winning streak and handed FDU-Florham their first loss in MAC Freedom competition. Additionally, the Ducks clinched the #3 seed in the MAC Freedom Championship Tournament as they improved to 11-7 overall and 4-3 in conference play.

The Devils, who came into the contest receiving votes in the latest NFHCA Poll, dropped to 15-3 overall this season and 6-1 in conference play, but will still be the top seed in next week's conference tournament.

In total, Stevens found the back of the net three times during the penalty shootout compared to just three for FDU-Florham as Buffenbarger scored twice and senior Michaela Thompson produced the other goal.

On Buffenbarger's second penalty stroke attempt, the junior from Leesburg, Virginia, raced straight at the goalkeeper and was able to fire a shot straight through her legs that deflected off the right post and into the goal.

Seconds later, Franco stepped up against Flukey, who came into the contest ranked fourth in NCAA Division III with 1.41 goals per game, needing a save for the victory. After initially slipping on the first save attempt, Franco was able to recover and make a diving stop to give the Ducks the 3-2 victory.

In regulation, the Ducks jumped ahead 2-0 with single goals in the second and third quarters.

Sophomore Alyssa Appleby gave Stevens the lead in the 19th minute when she was able to pass the ball to the top of the circle on a penalty corner to Thompson who immediately gave it right back to Appleby to deposit into the right side of the net.

Leading 1-0 at the break, the Ducks added another when sophomore Samantha Gajda found junior Skylar Migliaccio for her seventh goal of the season in the 31st minute.

FDU-Florham responded, however, with a pair of goals in the third quarter from Halle Ferm and Marissa Colvin to tie the contest.

Neither team scored for the remainder of regulation or in either overtime to send a Ducks' contest to penalty strokes for the first time this season.

Penalty Strokes

• In the first round of five penalty strokes, Franco was able to stuff Marissa Colvin while Stevens' freshman Natalie Logan could not convert her shot either to keep the score count tied 0-0.
• After Franco stopped Flukey for the first time, Buffenbarger stepped up and calmly delivered a shot into the back of the net to give Stevens a 1-0 advantage.
• Maggie Sohns gave Florham the equalizer in the next round of penalty stroke, but Thompson slapped the ball past March to take the lead right back for Stevens.
• After Sydney Moskal tied the contest up once again in the fourth round, Ireland Tawney was unable to find the back of the net on her stroke to leave the contest tied at two.
• In the fifth and final round before sudden death, Franco was able to produce a stop for the third time against J. Pietracatella, but Kila Eadie could not convert her stroke to send the contest into a winner-take-all shootout.
• After connecting on her first stroke, Thompson was unsuccessful in her second attempt, leaving the door open for the Devils. Franco stood tall, however, stopping her second straight stroke to keep the match even and send it to a seventh stroke.
• Buffenbarger then stepped up and gave the Ducks' a 3-2 advantage they would not relinquish as Franco stopped her fifth total penalty stroke in seven tries to seal the victory for Stevens.

Turning Point

• With 39:21 on the game clock, Stevens was in danger of falling behind after previously building up a 2-0 edge.
• After giving up back-to-back goals in the 37th and 39th minutes, respectively, FDU-Florham was able to earn a penalty shot looking to take the lead for the first time.
• Much like in the penalty shootout, however, Franco could not be beaten as she made a huge diving save against Marie Pietracatella to keep the contest tied at two.

Inside the Numbers

• The Devils held a 24-15 overall advantage in shots and a 15-7 edge in shots on goal in the loss.
• Stevens' defense was stout in the first half, not allowing FDU-Florham to attempt a shot in the first 30 minutes of game action.
• Franco posted a total of 12 saves in the win, the most since she racked up 14 against SUNY-New Paltz on Oct. 9. It was the third time this season she has produced double-digit saves and the first time she has done it in a Stevens' victory.
• The Ducks have now advanced to the postseason in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
• Migliaccio led Stevens with three shots, all of which were on goal, and now has a team-high seven goals on the season.
• The assist for Gajda was her third of the season which ties her for second-most on the team.
• Appleby has now scored in two of her last three contests and four times overall this season

Unsung Heros

• The Ducks entire defensive back line was spectacular in the match, holding FDU-Florham to zero total shots in the first half and only two total goals in 80 minutes of game action. It was the first time this season a team has been able to hold the Devils under three goals in conference play.

From the Sidelines (Head Coach Meredith Spencer-Blaetz)

• "There is no way I could be more proud of this group today. They played out of their minds and stepped up to a big challenge. They knew what was on the line for postseason and simply refused to end our season tonight."
• "I could name everyone on the team, but Kila Eadie had a great game and you can't overlook Emily Franco and her prowess. Truly everyone contributed."

Next Up

• Stevens will take on DeSales in a matchup of the #2 and #3 seeds in the semifinals MAC Freedom Tournament in Dallas, Pennsylvania Wednesday, Nov. 6.
• Earlier this season, the Bulldogs were able to walk away with a 3-2 victory over the Ducks thanks to a pair of third quarter goals.
• The winner of the semifinal contest will take on the winner of the FDU-Florham-Misericordia matchup that will take place Wednesday in Madison, New Jersey.
• Live stats and video for the contest will be available on StevensDucks.com.

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