Hoboken, N.J. –
Brooke Hughes,
Sophia Cozza and
Kelly Nadzan each scored as the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team blanked Widener University, 3-0, Saturday morning at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.
The Ducks (2-0) held a 22-5 advantage in shots and a 19-7 edge in penalty corners over Widener (0-2).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Stevens wasted little time applying pressure, with
Jenna Piantieri putting a shot on goal just 33 seconds into the contest. After another Piantieri attempt was turned away, Hughes opened the scoring at the 6:41 mark. The goal was the first of the season for Hughes and gave the Ducks a 1-0 advantage. The Ducks continued to generate opportunities over the remainder of the opening quarter, with
Lauren Flynn forcing another save in the 13th minute, but Stevens carried the one-goal advantage into the second period.
Stevens controlled much of the second quarter and did not allow Widener to record a shot.
Jenna Mayer had an attempt stopped in the 20th minute before the Ducks generated three penalty corners over the final five minutes of the half.
Molly DiCampli and Hughes each put shots on goal during the stretch, but the Widener goalkeeper kept the margin at one heading into halftime.
The Ducks came out aggressively following the break, recording shots from
Taylor Brooks and Piantieri during the opening three minutes of the third quarter. Widener produced its best offensive stretch shortly after, but Ward made back-to-back saves to preserve the shutout. Stevens responded by generating three consecutive penalty corners and earned a penalty stroke at 37:31. Cozza's attempt was saved, but the Ducks continued to pressure the Widener defense.
Stevens earned six more penalty corners over the remainder of the quarter before doubling its advantage with 2:02 remaining in the period. DiCampli had an initial attempt stopped by a defensive save before Cozza found the back of the cage for her first goal of the season and a 2-0 lead. Brooks and
Jess Kopernick each put attempts on goal in the fourth period before the Ducks added an insurance tally with 1:47 remaining. Mayer set up Nadzan for her first goal of the season to produce the final 3-0 margin.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Brooks led Stevens with four shots, while Cozza, Piantieri and Hughes each recorded three. Cozza and Hughes each put two attempts on goal, while all three of Piantieri's shots were on target.
- Mayer picked up her first collegiate assist with an assist on the Nadzan marker.
- Ward stopped all three shots she faced to earn her first shutout.
UP NEXT
Stevens returns to the DeBaun Athletic Complex on Sunday, Sept. 6, when the Ducks host Rowan University at noon.
