MADISON, N.J. (September 8, 2018) - The FDU-Florham field hockey handed Gwynedd Mercy their first loss of the season with a 3-0 victory in their home opener on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Devils improved to 3-1 on the season, and the Griffins fall to 3-1.
 
Seniors Kelly O'Neill, Chrissy Penney and Brooke Sherwin fueled the Devils offense, each scoring a goal in the contest. The goals were the first of the season for Penney and Sherwin.
 
In the opening minute, O'Neill got past a defender and then found Penney for the game's first tally to give FDU-Florham the early 1-0 lead. The Devils defense shut down the Griffins in the first half only, allowing two shots that both came from the Griffins' only penalty corner of the half.
 
The Devils doubled their lead with 7:22 remaining in the first half, when Sherwin capitalized on a penalty stroke. The penalty stroke was awarded when junior Jessica Pietracatella was fouled inside the circle trying to go across the goal line for a shot.

Sherwin nearly scored again off a penalty corner a minute later when she ripped a shot from the top of the circle that got past the goalkeeper and clunked off the box. The Devils held a 7-2 advantage in shots and 5-1 advantages in penalty corners.
 
In the second half, the Griffins offense came to life, taking five shots and six corner attempts but nothing found the back on the cage. Gwynedd Mercy's best chance to score came with 17 minutes remaining in the game when their shot got past the Rubin but was saved by junior Marie Pietracatella for her second defensive save in as many games.
 
In the final minutes, O'Neill received the pass from junior Maggie Sohns, and shot across the goalkeepers face into the back of the cage for her second goal of the season. Senior Samantha Rubin had three saves in route to her first shutout of the season.
 
The Devils will host Ramapo College, Wednesday, September 12 at 7 p. m.