MADISON, N.J. (October 24, 2018) - Seniors
Kelly O'Neill and
Chrissy Penney of the FDU-Florham field hockey team each recorded hat tricks as the Devils topped Manhattanville 8-1 Wednesday on Senior Night.
The Devils improve to 15-3, and claimed the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Regular Season Championship with a perfect 7-0 record in conference. FDU closes out the non-conference on Friday, traveling to take on No. 3 Rowan at 6 p.m.
FDU needed just one shot to get on the scoreboard, with Penney reverse chipping an O'Neill pass past the Manhattanville keeper. The Devils continued the pressure, with senior
Makayla Pak rifling a shot that was saved in the 10th minute. In the 13th minute, Penney pounced on a Pak rebound, beating the goalie for her second tally of the game.
Just 1:26 later, junior
Jessica Pietracatella converted an O'Neill cross to give the team a 3-0 edge. O'Neill scored her first of the evening after the Valiants were whistled for a foul near cage. She stepped up to take the penalty and converted for her 10th goal of the year.
The Valiants put some pressure on the Devils, taking four straight shots in the 26th minute. Senior
Samantha Rubin made a save and defender
Sarah Parks notched her first career defensive save in the scrum, but Emily Antinozzi broke through with a goal to spoil the shutout. O'Neill doubled her goal total on the evening, notching an unassisted tally with 5:01 left in the frame.
Penney and O'Neill capped off their hat-tricks with goals two minutes apart in the second half, while freshman
Brianna Suralik capped off the scoring in the 68th minute. The Valiants had two shot attempts late in the game, but sophomore
Megan March made a pair of saves to preserve the win.
O'Neill was one point away from the school-record of nine points, totaling three goals and two assists. Rubin and March each made two saves in the victory.
The Devils honored seniors
Brooke Sherwin,
Sarah Parks,
Chrissy Penney,
Cassidy Santorelli,
Kelly O'Neill,
Stephanie Noll,
Makayla Pak,
Alyssa Mele and
Samantha Rubin a pregame ceremony.