DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – Despite a strong end to the first half for the Delaware Valley field hockey team, the Aggies struggled to gain the offensive momentum they needed in the final 30 minutes dropping the contest to Eastern 1-0.
Ava Smadi held the only shot of the first quarter for the Aggies. Just two minutes into play she stood on the pads of the goalie pushing the ball just through her legs, but the Eagles goalkeeper was steadfast reaching behind with her stick pushing the ball out past the left post.
The Eagles got the first score of the game in the 10
th minute successfully converting a penalty corner. Eastern had a chance to extend the score in the 22
nd minute, but Aggies' goalkeeper
Brooke Golbeskis stuffed the opportunity.
With the Aggies in possession
Alex Graffius broke down field passing into
Maggie Fijal who drew the first penalty corner attempt for DelVal in the 23
rd minute.
Kaylee Hartung passed the ball up to
Brynne Miller for the quick dump off to
Kenzie Boyd. Boyd and
Danielle Geyer ripped off shots at the cage, both stopped by the Eagles keeper. The Aggies' offense went to work putting up six more shots in the final six minutes of the half but were unable to find equalizer.
Eastern controlled the offense in the second half. In the 50
th minute, an Eagles breakaway left Golbeski to face two one-on-one situations. She stepped out of the goal and prevented either from getting off a shot. The Aggies' defense forced an eventual shot wide to end the play.
Jillian Collins found herself as the last line of defense once again recording her second defensive save of the season just two minutes later.
The Aggies momentum picked up in the final four minutes.
Olivia Rexrode worked the ball downfield, finding the stick of Miller just inside the circle. Miller took the reverse shot and sent it just wide off the right post.
Miller ended the game with three shots, placing two on goal. Boyd, Graffius and Fijal all also tallied two shots with Boyd and Fijal placing both theirs on the cage. Golbeski recorded two saves on four shots faced.
DelVal returns to action on Tuesday, Sep. 16 when they host Neumann at 4 p.m.
