HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 24, 2022)  – First-year Gabi Moroney scored for the fifth time, but the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team fell to DeSales University 2-1 Saturday in a MAC Freedom matchup at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

Junior Julia Zatyko recorded her first collegiate assist and fifth-year goalie Emily Franco made eight saves for the Ducks, who saw their two-game winning streak come to an end in dropping to 5-4 on the year and to 1-1 in conference play.

Jordyne Stong had a goal and an assist and Catie McGrath notched the game-winner in the 56th minute for DeSales, who improved to 5-2 on the year and to 2-0 in MAC Freedom contests. The Bulldogs have alternated wins and losses over their last four contests. 

Kayla Yeatman had 12 saves to earn the victory for DeSales.

With the teams tied at one, DeSales was awarded a penalty corner. After the insert, Stong fired a shot towards the cage, where McGrath was able to redirect it into the back of the cage for her second goal of the year.

DeSales had a chance to double its lead in the 58th minute when Grace DeThomas attempted to beat Franco on a penalty stroke. DeThomas' try was wide. Stevens had a chance at the equalizer with less than 90 seconds left in regulation, but the Ducks' were unable to convert off a penalty corner and DeSales ran out the final minute to secure the victory. The teams have alternated victories over their last three meetings.

Moroney finally broke through for the Ducks in the 41st minute. Zatyko drove a shot on-frame. Yeatman pushed the ball aside, but the ball came right to the stick of Moroney. The Granby, Massachusetts native quickly sent the ball into the cage to draw the teams even. Stong had put the guests in front in the 28th minute, scoring off a penalty corner.

A spirited affair, the Ducks held a decisive 25-16 edge in shots, including a 13-10 margin in shots on goal. Ten of the Ducks' 25 shots came in the second quarter, when play largely remained the Ducks' attacking third. Yeatmen made eight of her 12 saves in the second quarter.

Unsung Heroes

• The Ducks held DeSales' leading scorer, Tyra Wingle to just a pair of shots, neither of which was on target. Wingle was held without a shot on goal for the first time this season.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens held a 19-9 edge in penalty corners. 
• Franco has made at least six saves in five of her eight contests this season. 
• The Ducks are now 1-1 in one-goal games.
• The contest marked the final contest of a four-game homestand - the longest of the season

From the Sidelines - Head Coach Meredith Spencer-Blaetz

• "It's always tough to lose when you fight as hard as we did today. This team has faced adversity, but they stepped up incredibly today. They played together and never gave up, even until the final moments. We will continue to focus on some of the details of our game as we head into the next week but this was a huge step in the right direction. Onward and upward from here!"

Up Next

• Field Hockey heads down Route 3 to take on Montclair State University on Sept. 28. 
• The last two meetings between the teams have been decided by one goal and the last matchup in Montclair required double-overtime.
• Links for live stats and video are available on StevensDucks.com.

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