GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Delaware Valley field hockey team capitalized on an early corner and never looked back defeating Gwynedd Valley 3-0 in the season opener.
A foul on the Griffins in the third minute of play handed the Aggies their first corner attempt. The insert, from
Kaylee Hartung, found its way to the top of the circle with the shot meeting the foot of a Griffins defender to force another corner attempt.
Hartung switched it up moving to the left side of the cage for the insert. She sent the ball to
Kenzie Boyd on the far left of the circle who worked it into
Brynne Miller for the reverse chip at the cage to put DelVal on the board 1-0.
DelVal's offense rattled off eight more shots over the next 25 minutes while the defense held off the Griffins not allowing a single shot. After a three-minute span that saw two shots from the Aggies in the second frame, Miller stepped up again converting the shot to put the Aggies up 2-0.
The Aggies continued their offensive domination in the second half with nine total shots.
Maggie Fijal entered the game in the 40
th minute and immediately made an impact, giving DelVal its third unanswered goal just 20 seconds later.
Gwynedd Mercy shifted gears in the 49
th minute earning six penalty corner attempts and firing off three shots in the span of a minute. DelVal quickly pivoted controlling the offense again in the 55
th minute with three shots from both Miller and
Alex Graffius across the span of a minute.
Shaelynn Castanaga-Acerra and the Aggies' defense held strong in the final minutes blocking and saving two attempts from the Griffins for the shutout.
Miller led the Aggies offense overall with six total shots in the game. Boyd and Graffius each recorded four shots with Boyd placing a team-high three on the goal. Castanaga-Acerrea,
Gracyn Shutt and
Brooke Golbeski shared the goaltending duties with Castanaga-Acerra making the only save of the game for the Aggies.
DelVal returns to action this Friday, Sep. 5 when they host Widener for the home-opener on Robert A. Lipinski field at 7 p.m.
