HOBOKEN, N.J. – Powered by a two-goal effort in the opening half, the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team defeated Mount Holyoke College, 3-1 in First Round action of the 2015 NCAA Tournament, hosted by the Ducks at DeBaun Athletic Complex.
With the victory, Stevens improves to 14-7 overall and advances to the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday where they will face host Ursinus at 11am in Collegeville, Pa. The Lyons conclude their outstanding season with a 15-7 overall record.
The Ducks struck first in the opening half as junior midfielder Nolie Prouty (Glendora, Calif./Glendora) took a shot from the top of the left circle. The ball sailed through traffic and into the right corner for the 1-0 advantage at the 7:35 mark.
Mount Holyoke evened things up at 13:37 as junior forward Charlotte Wagner (West Chester, Pa./Westtown School) injected the ball to the top of the circle on the penalty corner. Senior midfielder and captain Sarah LaQuerre (Old Orchard Beach, Maine/Cheverus) was there an sent a perfect aerial shot toward goal that floated in over the goalie's head.
Stevens was able to grab the 2-1 advantage less than four minutes later as foul in the circle off a penalty corner resulted in a stroke for the Ducks. Senior midfielder Dailyn Brook (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) sent her shot into the left corner, beating MHC keeper Liz DiCesare (Westford, Mass./Bishop Guertin).
In the second half of action, the Ducks added to their advantage as Brook collected the ball on a breakaway and drew DiCesare out on the left side before firing a cross through the middle. Sophomore forward Victoria Alvarez (Pine Beach, N.J./Toms River South) was there, beating out her own defender to knock the ball into the open net for the 3-1 lead.
Mount Holyoke had a solid chance seconds later on the corner as LaQuerre was able to navigate the ball through the circle on the left side. Her shot was saved by keeper Emily Stuckenborg (Stockholm, N.J./Wallkill Valley Regional) out into traffic, where the Ducks defender cleared it away.
Stevens nearly added to its advantage with 14:01 left to play as Prouty fired back-to-back shots in on goal, but DiCesare was able to make the kick saves.
The Lyons saw their final chance come with just six minutes to play as first year midfielder Mirjam Keochakian's (Hamburg, Germany/Deerfield Academy (MA) shot from the top of the left circle slid into traffic in front, but deflected off a stick and out of play.
Stevens finished with a 19-12 advantage in shots, holding a 10-7 edge in penalty corners. Stukenborg had a terrific effort, stopping nine shots for the victory. DiCesare made 10 stops in the defeat, while sophomore defender Julia Lankin (West Hartford, Conn./Conard) made a defensive save.
