Field Hockey Unable to Hold Second-Half Lead; Fall to Widener, 4-3

Junior Melissa Gilroy had one goal and one assist in the loss to Widener on Saturday.

BOX SCORE

Center Valley, PA (September 19, 2009) – The DeSales University field hockey team did not trail until the 59^th minute of the game but a strong final 14 minutes from Widener University saw the Bulldogs lose a 3-2 second-half lead and eventually the game, 4-3, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon.

The loss drops the Bulldogs to 1-6 overall, while Widener improves to 4-1 overall. The Pride had a 16-13 advantage in shots, while each team had 11 penalty corners. Freshman Victoria DelToro (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) made nine saves in goal for the Bulldogs.

Junior Amy Pulcini (Easton, PA/Easton) got DSU on the board at the 15:01 mark, knocking home a crossing pass from fellow junior Kelsey Strowhouer (Wilmington, DE/Brandywine). Widener tied the game at one just 3:53 later when Shannon Fien scored unassisted.

Just 19 seconds later junior Melissa Gilroy (Shohola, PA/Delaware Valley) scored her second tally of the season as Strowhouer earned her second assist with a beautiful cross across the goal mouth that Gilroy hammered home. That lead was also short lived however as the Pride countered just 3:32 later when Megan Scarpinato scored off a feed from Shelby Aaronson to tie the game at two heading into halftime.

In the second half, DSU dominated most of the first 20 minutes as junior Jamie Matthews (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown) scored off a pass from Gilroy just 3:50 into the half to take a 3-2 lead. That goal however was all the Bulldogs could muster despite controlling play at the start of the half.

At the 56:16 mark Widener tied the game at three when Natalie Gifford scored and just 2:50 later Jackie Elliott scored off a penalty corner to give WU its first lead of the game as they reversed the early second half trend and controlled possession over the final 15 minutes of the half. DSU made a few late runs at the circle late in the game but were never able to get anything going offensively over the final 15 minutes.

The Bulldogs will return to action on Monday, September 21^st when they host Marywood University in another non-conference game beginning at 4:00 pm.

Print Friendly Version