Box Score MADISON, N.J. -- The FDU-Florham field hockey team improved to 2-0 by defeating Gwynedd Mercy University 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at Robert T. Shields Field.

The Devils (2-0) played stellar defense in the contest and scored two early second half goals to claim the victory. Junior Gabriella D'Amico (Mullica Hill, N.J./Clearview) netted the game-winner in the 51st minute of play. 

The Griffins (0-2) fired off 12 shots in the first half but were held scoreless by the stout FDU-Florham defense. Devils' junior goalkeeper Amy Defnet (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville) was outstanding in net and turned away seven shots in the opening stanza. Defnet made 10 stops in her season debut to earn the victory for the Devils.

After a scoreless 35 minutes of action, the Devils had a penalty corner opportunity in the early stages of half number two but were unable to convert and the game remained deadlocked at 0-0. However, in the 51st minute, D'Amico gained excellent position in front of the cage and fired in a pass from junior Nicole Hall (Collingswood, N.J./Collingswood).

Two minutes later, sophomore Kim Davis (Long Branch, N.J./Long Branch) continued her torrid start to the season by scoring her third goal in two games, which provided the Devils with a two-goal cushion. Davis' goal came courtesy of a great feed from freshman forward Gabby Allen (Gibbsboro, N.J./Eastern). The assist was the first of Allen's young collegiate career.

Gwynedd Mercy's best scoring opportunity came one minute later, when senior Brittany Wilson nearly found the back of the cage but FDU-Florham freshman Lauren Brannan (Orefield, Pa./Parkland) stepped in and made an outstanding defensive save to preserve the shutout.


Next up for the Devils:
FDU-Florham hosts 11th-ranked The College of New Jersey on Saturday, September 6th with start time scheduled for 1 p.m. at Robert T. Shields Field.