Madison, NJ (October 24, 2014) – The DeSales University field hockey team dropped a 5-2 decision at FDU-Florham on Saturday but with its four Freedom Conference wins and the other results across the conference on Saturday the Bulldogs clinched their second straight Freedom Conference Tournament berth.
 
The Bulldogs (10-7, 4-2 Freedom) sit in third place by themselves entering the final week of the regular season in which they travel to King's College on Tuesday evening.  A win at King's will clinch the #3 seed for the Bulldogs, while a loss could see DSU finish anywhere from #3 or #4.
 
It is the second straight year DSU will be a part of the post-season after earning the #3 seed last season.  DeSales also made the Freedom post-season in 2007.
 
DSU fell behind early on Saturday as the Devils (11-6, 5-1 Freedom) scored just 20 seconds into the game but the Bulldogs tied the game at one at 11:05 on an unassisted goal from junior Meryah Harding.
 
Florham finished the half scoring two straight goals at 19:32 by Gabriella D'amico and at 32:51 by Niki Ikeda to take a 3-1 lead into the half.
 
FDU struck once again early in the second-half as Noelle Shirey scored 2:58 into the second-half of play and Jodie Crutchley made it 5-1 at 48:47 before sophomore Alexa Beaumont got the Bulldogs on the board again at 49:33 off an assist from senior Alison Malatesta, the 29^th assist of her career.
 
FDU out-shot DSU, 12-7, and had an 11-5 edge in penalty corners.  Junior Becky Rasmuson made five saves in the cage for the Bulldogs.