Oct. 16, 2011
Box Score
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Lafayette field hockey team scored twice in the first half and was able to cling to a one-goal lead in the final 16 minutes, beating Rutgers 2-1 in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday afternoon. Deanna DiCroce and Kelsey Mead provided the offense for the Leopards who closed out their regular season road schedule with a victory.
"We usually have close games with Rutgers and today was no exception," head coach Andrew Griffiths stated. "We started strong, which was one of our pre-game goals, and took advantage of our early chances. Our midfield and forward play was good today and we moved the ball quickly across the width of the field."
Lafayette (8-6) wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, as DiCroce beat Rutgers goalie Sarah Stuby 3:22 into the game. The Leopards earned a penalty corner and capitalized on the opportunity as DiCroce positioned herself in front of the cage and tipped in a shot from Brittany Blass. The goal was DiCroce's ninth of the season and 30th of her career.
Kelsey Mead increased the Leopards lead at the 20:16 mark by knocking in a pass from DiCroce. The tally was set up as DiCroce carried the ball along the end line and sent a pass across the goal mouth to mead, for her seventh goal this year. Lafayette took the 2-0 lead into halftime.
The Scarlet Knights (4-10) responded in the second half, cutting the lead in half at the 53:53 point. Chelsea Rota made her way behind the Lafayette defense, received a long pass from Lisa Patrone and slid a shot past goalie Jessica Deutsch.
Deutsch earned the nod in the cage after junior Mara Kish manned the cage in yesterday's 5-0 win against Holy Cross. The freshman turned away nine Scarlet Knights shots en route to her third win of the season.
"In the second half we had a few defensive lapses, but were able to recover from them," Griffiths continued. "We closed the game out with good composure."
Rutgers held the statistical edge, outshooting LC 14-9, including 9-5 in shots on goal. They also earned five corners, compared to four for the Maroon and White. DiCroce was given a yellow card and Rutgers picked up two in the game.
Lafayette is back in action on Oct. 22 when it hosts Lehigh at Rappolt Field. The game is slated for 12 noon and is the first of three home games to end the regular season.
