MADISON, N.J. – The FDU-Florham field hockey team picked up their third consecutive MAC Freedom win after defeating the No. 19-ranked Eastern University Eagles 3-1 on Wednesday night at Robert T. Shields Field.
Senior goalkeeper Amy Defnet was brilliant in the goal for the Devils (11-5, 4-1 MAC Freedom), allowing just one goal and recording seven saves. Alongside Defnet in a stellar defensive outing was junior defender Erin O'Connell, who became the school's all-time leader in defensive saves after she had two in the win over Eastern.
Defnet was tested early by the Eagles (10-4, 4-1 MAC Freedom) as they brought the ball down the field to open up the game. As the ball neared the Devils' cage, Lauren Gay took a shot and it was sent away by Defnet. Off of the save, the ball fell in front of an Eagles' player and it was shot in the air over Defnet, but junior defender Erin O'Connell swatted the ball out of the air with her stick to prevent the score.
The Devils responded to the early scare by taking seven shots in a 10-minute span. After coming up short in each of their attempts, senior midfielder Stephanie Geskes placed the ball into the circle and Gabby Allen shot it into the back of the cage for her first collegiate goal.
In the 41st minute, the Eagles were threatening on the Devils' side of the field. Off of a penalty corner, Danielle Frasca had a good look at the cage and she took the shot, but it was sent back into play by a diving Defnet. With the Devils' goalkeeper on the ground, Gina Miller was there to capitalize on a quick rebound score to knot the game up at 1-1.
FDU-Florham placed three shots on goal following the Eagles' score, but all three were saved by Eastern goalkeeper, Nicole Berger. The Devils managed to retake the lead however, once freshman Brooke Sherwin rifled a shot into the cage in the 47th minute from the left side.
Holding onto a one-goal lead, O'Connell had possession of the ball for the Devils and she rifled the ball into the circle that was deflected into the top of the cage by junior Karen Blacklock to push the lead to two.
With just over two minutes remaining in the game, Megan Bolton sent a screaming shot at the Devils' cage from the right side of the field, but Defnet stuck out her right leg and made a remarkable save and FDU-Florham went on to grab the 3-1 victory.
The Devils will head on the road to Center Valley, Pa. on Saturday, October 24 for a MAC Freedom road match against the DeSales University Bulldogs that is slated to start at 12 p.m.
