Madison, N.J. – Sophomore Sophia Murphy netted the lone goal in the 21st minute as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team blanked FDU-Florham 1-0 Tuesday evening.
 
Senior goalkeeper Kenny Donley made three saves for Stevens (6-3-6, 3-1-0 Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom), while Ava Gianni turned away eight shots for FDU-Florham (5-7-3, 0-3-1 MAC Freedom).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Ducks controlled play from the opening whistle, outshooting the Devils 11-2 in the first half. Despite the early dominance, FDU recorded the first chance just 2:31 into the match, but Donley was up to the task, stopping a shot from Shelli Nolan. Murphy registered the Ducks' first shot on goal in the sixth minute, with Gianni making the save.
 
The breakthrough came in the 21st minute. Malia Chopra won a challenge near midfield and slipped a short pass to Taylor Truglia on the left flank. Truglia found Abby Davis, who fought through a pair of defenders and placed the ball at the feet of Luciana Rodriguez. The sophomore midfielder threaded a pass through to Murphy, who went low on her first touch. The shot slipped under the sliding Gianni and crossed the line before she could corral it, giving Stevens the 1-0 advantage. The Ducks continued to apply pressure as Molly McCann and Alana Odom each forced saves late in the half, while Hanna Kusinski saw her effort off a set piece denied in the 36th minute.
 
FDU again opened the second half with the first attempt on goal, but Donley made the stop to preserve the lead. Much of the half was played through the midfield, with both teams limiting chances. Stevens nearly doubled the advantage in the 78th minute when Alina Friz rang a shot off the left post. The defense tightened down the stretch, holding the Devils to just one shot on goal over the final 11 minutes. Odom was denied on a semi-breakaway late, and Stevens effectively ran out the clock by maintaining possession in the corner to secure the 1-0 victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Murphy led all players with six shots, while Lauren Alley added two on frame.
• The back line of McCann, Truglia, Kaitlyn Pettit, and Kusinski played all 90 minutes, helping the Ducks post their fourth clean sheet of the season.
• Donley earned her 18th career victory, moving into a tie for fifth place on the program's all-time wins list with Jennifer Pontier. 

UP NEXT
Stevens returns to Castle Point on Saturday to host Lebanon Valley at 1 p.m.