Summer may be over, but the Stevens Field Hockey team is already firing up to a fantastic start. With wins against York College of Pennsylvania and Widener University, it’s already shaping up to be an exciting season!
The Ducks kicked off their campaign against York on September 1 at DeBaun Athletic Complex. Senior Lauren Flynn shot the first goal of the season and with a pair of defensive saves, kept York off the board. Senior Jess Kopernick quickly delivered a second strike with far side assistance from senior Molly DiCampli. However, less than 90 seconds into the second quarter, York tied at 2-2. This setback didn’t dissuade our Ducks as sophomore Brooke Hughes dribbled towards the end line, then threw one across the box to junior Ava Pelletier, who achieved a third goal.
Tensions quieted down after nearly 18 scoreless minutes but the Spartans equalized the score in the final three minutes of the third quarter. That quietness carried over to the fourth quarter for both teams with only five shots, fewer than half as many as any other frame. In the final 45 seconds, senior Sophia Cozza dribbled around a defender, threw a pass across the box for Kopernick whose one-timed strike won victory at 4-3. That goal was the latest regulation game-winning goal since Nolie Prouty against Ithaca on September 17, 2016.
For their second game, the Ducks hosted Widener at DeBaun Athletic Complex on September 5. They had an impressive game with a 22-5 advantage in shots and a 19-7 edge in penalty corners. Stevens wasted no time applying pressure as just 33 seconds in, senior Jenna Piantieri was putting a shot on goal. While Piantieri’s attempts were turned away, Hughes opened the score and gave the Ducks a 1-0 advantage. They carried that advantage throughout the opening quarter allowing them to control much of the second quarter. First-year Jenna Mayer’s attempt was stopped in the 20th minute. Meanwhile senior Molly DiCampli and Hughes both put shots in the goal but were foiled by Widener’s goalkeeper.
After halftime, both teams created more chances, with shots from senior Taylor Brooks and Piantieri. The field hockey team generated three consecutive penalty corners, earned a penalty stroke in the 38th minute, and continued to pressure Widener’s defense. Over the remainder of the quarter, Stevens earned six more penalty corners and made many attempts on the goal during the fourth quarter. However, with aid from Mayer, sophomore Kelly Nadzan scored her first goal of the season for a final tally of 3-0!
The Ducks will return to DeBaun Athletic Complex on Sunday, September 6, to face Rowan University at noon.
