Center Valley, PA (October 24, 2006) – The DeSales University field hockey team fell short in its bid to earn the fourth and final Freedom Conference playoff spot falling to Wilkes University, 2-1, in a Freedom Conference game on a chilly Tuesday afternoon.
The Bulldogs (9-9, 2-5 Freedom) needed a win and a Delaware Valley College loss to earn the fourth and final playoff spot and to keep its season alive. Wilkes moves to 8-9 overall and 4-3 in the Freedom with the win.
The Colonels were first on the board with the only goal of the first half to take a 1-0 halftime lead. Diana Wright scored her third goal of the season when she stopped an initial shot off a corner that was wide, controlled the ball and fired her own shot into the far right corner of the cage. Kerry Battersby earned the assist on the goal.
DSU tied the game early in the second half when junior Jen Pulcini (Easton, PA/Easton) took control of a loose ball in the box and fired a shot past the Colonel keeper for her 12th goal of the season.
The game seemed destined for overtime before Wilkes found the cage with just 4:20 left on the game clock. Alex Ingram scored her first goal of the season taking a perfect pass to the post from Devon McKay and re-directing the ball into the goalmouth for the game-winner.
DeSales controlled the offensive play during the day out-shooting Wilkes, 24-8, and holding a 9-8 edge in penalty corners, but Wilkes was able to capitalize on its chances to earn the win. Freshman Molly Pope (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) made three saves, while Julia Smith stopped nine shots for Wilkes.
