MADISON, N.J. – The Delaware Valley field hockey team battled through 80 minutes of scoreless action before delivering in a shootout to defeat FDU-Florham in a thrilling season finale.
Ava Smadi and
Savannah Weaver converted their shootout attempts, while goalkeeper
Gracyn Shutt denied all five Devils attempts to secure the victory for the Aggies.
DelVal turned up the pressure in the fourth quarter, generating a flurry of offensive opportunities in search of the breakthrough. Smadi and
Emma Schueller sent shots wide before Weaver had an attempt blocked. The Aggies continued to push, earning a penalty corner that led to a shot by
Kylie Conley, but the Devils' goalkeeper made the save. Just 30 seconds later, DelVal earned another corner and fired three consecutive shots, with attempts by Smadi, Conley and
Caylen Taylor all turned away.
The Aggies carried that momentum into overtime, continuing to test the Devils' defense.
Isabella Davis sent a shot wide in the closing minutes of the first overtime period before Taylor put two shots on target, both saved by the FDU-Florham goalkeeper. Taylor and Conley combined for three more attempts in the second overtime, but neither side found the back of the cage, sending the game to a shootout.
Shutt came up big in the decisive shootout, stopping all five FDU-Florham attempts to keep the Aggies in contention. After
Jillian Collins' opening attempt was unsuccessful, Smadi stepped up and beat Adrianna Goodwin to give DelVal the advantage. Conley and Taylor were unable to convert their attempts, leaving Weaver with the opportunity to seal the win. Weaver delivered, finding the back of the cage to clinch the shootout victory for the Aggies.
Shutt and
Shaelynn Castanaga-Acerra split time in goal for DelVal. Castanaga-Acerra played the opening 30 minutes without facing a shot, while Shutt logged 50 minutes and recorded one save during regulation and overtime.
The victory capped the season for the Aggies, who finished with a 5-10 overall record and a 2-6 mark in MAC Freedom play.
