Sept. 10, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- After playing to a scoreless tie in the first half, the Fairfield University field hockey team surrendered three second-half goals off penalty corners as Drexel University posted a 3-0 at University Field on Sunday.
The Dragons entered the game with a 4-0 record, which included a win over Villanova in their last outing. The Stags defense kept Drexel in check for the first half, and used the visitors' aggressive attack to start counters that led to added offensive pressure.
Fairfield enjoyed a slight statistical advantage in practically every category by the intermission came around, including a 6-5 edge in shots. The Stags took advantage of seven penalty corners in the first half, which allowed Chelsea Hicks to direct three shots toward goal. Drexel goaltender Colleen McAndrew was equal to the task, and turned away Fairfield on each opportunity. McAndrew finished the half with four saves for the Dragos.
Drexel came out in the second half and moved the ball down field quickly, and released a quick shot in the opening minute. It would be the first of 11 second-half shots directed toward Fairfield goaltender Elizabeth Thomas. Thomas added three saves to her first half total, which gave the junior six stops for the game.
The Dragons scored all three goals following plays which were started by a penalty corner. Emily Horvat scored when she pushed a rebounded shot past Thomas eight minutes into the second half. Horvat joined up with Casey Mouser on the next two goals, as the two players were credited with assists on the second and third scores.
Heather Bloemker netted the team's second goal with a blast from the top of the circle. Karie Walton closed the scoring with four minutes remaining in the game when her shot deflected off the goaltender and caught the upper part of the goal.
Fairfield (2-3 overall) returns to action on September 13 when it hosts the University of Massachusetts for a 3 pm game.
