Center Valley, PA (September 10, 2011) – After a long wait to finally play on its home field the DeSales University field hockey team took advantage of some familiar surroundings gutting out a 2-1 win over William Paterson University in a non-conference game on Tuesday afternoon in the first home game of the season.

Freshman Rachel Wysocky got the scoring started just 6:40 into the game when she re-directed a shot from the top of the circle off a penalty corner feed from junior Alyssa Knappenberger.

The Pioneers tied the game at one in the 24th minute when Aubrey Pellerin dribbled thru several DSU defenders and into the circle, firing a shot just past the Bulldog keeper to the lower right corner.

Both team battled early in the second half and WPU seemed to take its first lead of the game mid-way thru the half when a lofted shot looked as if it was headed for the cage but junior goalkeeper Victoria DelToro made a leaping save with her stick to narrowly keep it out, while a follow shot was hit wide.

As the clock hit the 61st minute, Knappenberger reached the offensive zone and fired a shot that was saved by the Paterson keeper, but the rebound bounced out and freshman Alison Malatesta was in perfect position to knock into the cage for her first career goal giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead with 9:30 left on the clock.

The Pioneers made one last charge with less than 30 seconds left and earned a penalty corner as time expired.  Ally Hartman was able to get off a shot at the top of the circle but it was saved by DelToro and eventually cleared to end the game.

WPU held a 10-9 edge in shots and a 9-5 advantage in penalty corners.  DelToro was solid in the cage, making five saves, while her counterpart managed two saves.

The Bulldogs will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Drew University for a non-conference game beginning at 1:00 pm.