UNION, N.J. (10/15/16) – The No. 17 Kean University field hockey team weathered a comeback bid by Stockton University and hung on to win a 3-2 NJAC decision on Saturday to stay perfect (14-0) on the season.
Click here to see highlights from today's win!
The Cougar defense was dominant in the opening period and did not allow a single shot-on-goal or penalty corner in the first half. In contrast, Kean fired off 13 shots and earned 10 penalty corners. Still, the score was just 2-0 at halftime despite the tilted field.
Jenna Patrone set up both Kean goals of the first half. The first one came when Patrone gained the zone, dribbled around multiple defenders and fired a shot on net. The ball was deflected high, and Krista LaMaina was able to bat the ball out of the air and into the cage for the first score of the afternoon at 7:54.
Late in the second period, Patrone got off another shot that was partially deflected and slowed down in front by multiple defenders. The ball stayed on the ground this time, and Raykena Brown was able to clean up the scrum in front and hammer home the rebound for a 2-0 lead.
Seven minutes after the break, Victoria Caiazzo scored an unassisted goal for Stockton, trimming the Kean lead in half. But three minutes later the Cougars came up with an answer. Jordan Colna was fed a backdoor pass by Shauna LaMaina and beat the diving Osprey goaltender to bump the Kean lead back up to two.
The insurance goal proved pivotal. Two minutes later Caiazzo struck again to make it a one-goal affair again and begin a tense endgame for both sides.
The two teams were held scoreless over the final 23 minutes of the game and the Cougars were able to hold on for the NJAC victory. Kean improved to 14-0 and 3-0 in the NJAC. Stockton is 6-7 overall and 0-3 in the league.
Kean outshot Stockton 23-5 in the game and had a 20-3 margin in penalty corners. Erin Smith earned the win in goal.
The Cougars will hit the road for a big test against NJAC rival Montclair State University on Wednesday night beginning at 7 p.m.
