Hoboken, N.J. – Senior Emily Smart scored the game-winning goal 3:43 into overtime to lead the No. 25 Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team past Rowan University on Wednesday afternoon.

Gabi Moroney scored twice for Stevens (4-0), who topped Rowan for the first time since 2009. Allie Palumbo netted two goals and an assist for the Profs (1-3).

HOW IT HAPPENED
The visitors opened the scoring 5:13 into the game as they took the first shot of the game. Palumbo converted a reverse chip from distance that went over goalkeeper Lily Wierzbicki's blocker. The junior made a stop in the 10th minute to keep it at 1-0. 

The Ducks turned the pressure up in the second quarter, earning back-to-back penalty corners. Taylor Brooks had her first two attempts denied, but the third found the back of the net in the 29th minute, leveling the game at one. The Profs regained the advantage 1:05 later, as Palumbo scored off a Paige Gray corner, taking a 2-1 lead into the half.

Stevens outshot the Profs 7-4 over the first 30 minutes, and each side had two penalty corners.

Stevens capitalized off a corner 1:31 into the third. Makenna Quigley inserted to Moroney, and she rifled a shot past the Rowan goalkeeper to level the game at two. Wierzbicki preserved the tie game with six third-quarter stops, including one on Palumbo with 1:38 remaining. Rowan outshot Stevens 7-1 in the third but could not find the back of the cage.

The Ducks continued the trend of scoring early, as Moroney potted her second of the game 1:35 into the fourth. Julia Zatyko set up the play with a pass from the right side, and Moroney was able to tap it in. The Profs again fought back, as Olivia Griffin tied the game at the 48:06 mark, making it 3-3.

The two sides continued to hunt for the go-ahead marker, and the Profs were reduced to 10 on the field after a five-minute yellow card. Playing with a man up, the Ducks broke through with 1:38 on the clock. Sarah Korczukowski played a long pass through to Molly DiCampli for a breakaway. She made no mistake and buried the one-on-one to give Stevens a 4-3 edge. The Ducks were whistled for a foul with .2 on the clock, and off the ensuing corner, Rowan tied the game as Alexa Ronning's shot from inside the circle eluded Wierzbicki.

The Ducks had the early chances in overtime, with two penalty corners and a shot by Sophia Cozza stopped. On the other end, Rowan was awarded a corner but failed to register a shot. Stevens came on the counterattack, and Brooks found Smart streaking down the sideline. The senior received the pass and moved in on Mariah Juliano, beating the Rowan goalkeeper and setting off a celebration.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• The victory over Rowan was the first since September 30, 2009, when Mallory Swanson scored twice in a 2-1 victory.
• Smart's game-winning goal was her first since October 28, 2023, and the sixth of her career.
• Brooks tallied multiple points in a game for the second time this season, as she netted two goals in the 5-0 win over Ramapo.
• Wierzbicki made seven saves as Maria Dante earned the victory, which was her first since November 1, 2023.

FROM THE FIELD
"Wow! This was an incredible team effort where we continued to show our grit and fight. We knew we had a lot to prove and stepping up to a formidable opponent has been something that's motivated us all season. This is the first step of continued growth!" - Head Coach Meredith Spencer-Blaetz

UP NEXT
The Ducks visit Swarthmore on Saturday, and the game time is scheduled for 1 pm in Swarthmore, PA.