Late Penalty Stroke Does In Wooster in NCAA First-Round Game

Stevens Institute of Technology's Hillary Paul scored on a penalty stroke with 10:30 remaining, breaking a 1-1 tie, and the Ducks' defense kept The College of Wooster's high-powered attack in check the rest of the way en route to a 2-1 victory in the squads' NCAA Div. III Field Hockey Tournament opening-round match-up Wednesday at Hoboken, N.J.

Wooster, which finishes its season with a 16-6 record, had leveled the game less than two minutes prior, as Amanda Artman emerged from a scramble in front of the cage with an unassisted goal. The play began on a penalty corner, with Artman eventually finding an opening near the left post. It marked her 29th goal of the year, tying a long-standing North Coast Athletic Conference record as Denison University's Meg Filoon also had 29 goals back in 1984.

While the Fighting Scots appeared to have gained the momentum, Stevens brought the ball right back into Wooster's circle. The Scots were eventually whistled when a defender stopped a ball heading towards the cage with her foot. Paul lifted the stroke into the left corner of the net for the lead.

Over the final 10-plus minutes, Wooster made a series of runs with its best chance coming on a Brittany Montgomery shot at the 3:18 mark, however, Duck back Casey Scherck was there for a defensive save.

Stevens' initial goal came late in the first half from Mallory Swanson. After earning a penalty corner, Paul sent the ball in on Scot 'keeper Madalyn Myers, who made an initial save, however, Erin Broderick controlled the rebound and sent it over to an open Swanson for the score.

For the game, Myers was credited with six saves on 14 shots, while Wooster was held to five attempts on the other end.

Stevens advances to face defending national champion and third-ranked Bowdoin College on Saturday, while Wooster returns home, having capped a year that saw the Scots win both the NCAC's regular season and tournament crowns and qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001.