DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – The Delaware Valley field hockey team converted its only corner attempt of the game in the final minute to break a nearly 58-minute scoring drought with Misericordia and secure their first conference victory of the season.
 
Misericordia dominated possession in the first half keeping the Aggies' defense on their toes. The squad faced five shots from the Cougars in the first frame with goalkeeper Alyssa Rudd making two saves. Misericordia was held to just one shot in the second quarter off a penalty corner. Misericordia ripped the shot from the top of the circle right into the pads of Rudd to keep the score knotted at zero heading into the second half.
 
The Cougars worked to capitalize on their two corner attempts coming out of the half, but the DelVal defense remained steadfast, forcing two of their shots away from the cage with Rudd putting a stop to the other two shots to keep the game scoreless.
 
DelVal saw its first chance at the cage five minutes into the final frame with Paige Sammons sending the shot toward the cage from the right of the circle stopped by the sticks of the Cougars defense. Misericordia immediately shifted possession bringing the ball downfield for seven shots over a two-minute span all saved by Rudd.
 
Kenzie Boyd and Ashley Birmingham anchored the defensive efforts for the Aggies in the final minutes of the game. Boyd stopped the breakaway effort for the Cougars, forcing the turnover and driving the ball back out of the circle. Just a minute later Birmingham stepped up on the corner flying to the ball to block the attempted shot. Birmingham followed it up two minutes later, stopping the shot, but drawing another corner.
 
She continued to stand her ground chasing the Cougars pass through the circle to force the turnover and change possession in favor of the Aggies for their first corner attempt with 1:36 left in the game. Sydney Keagle sent the ball up top to Boyd dumping it to Birmingham for the initial shot. The ball got caught in traffic but found the stick of Alex Graffius to break the scoring drought and put the Aggies ahead, 1-0.
 
DelVal returns to action this Saturday, Oct. 19 when they travel to Hoboken face #25 Stevens at 11 a.m.