Center Valley, PA (November 5, 2022) - The DeSales University field hockey won its first-ever MAC Freedom Championship on Saturday afternoon defeating Arcadia University, 3-2, to punch its ticket into the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

The Basics

• Final Score: DeSales - 3, Arcadia - 2
• Records: DeSales (15-4 overall), Arcadia (14-6 overall)
• It is DeSales' first-ever championship in its fourth trip to the title game, the first of which was at home.
• The win advances DSU to the NCAA Division III Tournament which is slated to start on Wednesday with an opponent and site to be determined late on Sunday evening.
• The Bulldogs have won two straight in the all-time series and even up the all-time record at 8-8 vs. the Knights.
• It is also win #15 for DeSales, surpassing the school-record for wins in a season of 13 set in 2019.

How it Happened

• The Bulldogs were in complete control of this one until the final 90 seconds of the game when Arcadia had a desperate rally at tying the game.
• Senior Catie McGrath got things started scoring on a rebound of a saved shot just 24 seconds into the second quarter.
• First-year Jordyne Stong made it a two goal game just 4:30 later pushing home a pass on the back post from McGrath.
• DeSales got what proved to be a very important third goal in the 40th minute as junior Maddie Trocki found first-year Nikki Chiaradia wide open on the back post making it 3-0 in the third quarter.
• This game seemed almost over until Arcadia finally got on the board with 1:22 left to play and the Knights followed that goal with another with just 41 ticks left.
• AU got the ball into the circle with a few seconds left but it was swiftly kicked away from junior Kayla Yeatman as time expired and DSU celebrated its first-ever MAC Freedom Championship.

Top Bulldog Performers

• McGrath earned MAC Freedom Tournament Most Valuable Player honors scoring her eighth goal of the season and adding an assist.
• Stong scored her ninth of the year and it was Chiaradia's fourth tally of the season.
• Yeatman made five saves in goal and senior Grace DeThomas had a defensive save in the win.

For the Foes

• Regan Sammons and Caeley LeTersky each scored for the Knights.
• Emma Heffley and Samantha Jacona added assists.
• Gracie Fenner totaled 12 saves in goal.

Inside the Box Score

• DeSales had a 20-11 advantage in shots and a 16-8 lead in shots on goal.
• Both teams had 12 penalty corners with the Knights getting nine of their 12 over the final five minutes of the game.