FREDRICK, Md. – Delaware Valley field hockey graduate student Ashley Birmingham fired a rocket at the end of the fourth to put the Aggies on the board, then followed up with the game-winning penalty stroke to give DelVal its second consecutive win defeating Hood 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
 
With time winding down in the first quarter and the score knotted at 0-0, a penalty corner in the 14^th minute put the Aggies in scoring position. Sydney Keagle inserted the ball up top to Kenzie Boyd who dumped it left for Birmingham with the stinger to put DelVal up 1-0.
 
Alyssa Rudd stayed strong in the cage making back-to-back saves in the 33^rd minute, but a penalty corner for Hood put them in position to find the back of the cage and even the score, 1-1. DelVal looked to regain its edge in the frame with three more shots all stopped by the Blazers goalkeeper.
 
The Aggies dominated the possession to start the fourth quarter earning three penalty corners in the first four minutes. The third corner attempt saw shots from Birmingham and Kaylee Hartung before a foul put the Blazers in the position to take the ball out. DelVal quickly intercepted the pass with Hartung firing off another shot causing a scuffle out front and awarding the Aggies the penalty stroke attempt. Birmingham stepped up to the mark sinking the lift into the right top of the cage to put the Aggies back on top, 2-1, for the win.
 
DelVal returns to action Wednesday, Oct. 9 when they host Drew University on Robert A. Lipinski Field at 7 p.m.