IMMACULATA, PA: (Oct. 13, 2010) - Arcadia University Field Hockey took a 1-0 lead into half-time and added on an insurance goal in the second-half to beat non-conference opponent Immaculata University on the road by a 2-1 margin. Senior Ashley McCarthy (Norristown, PA/Norristown Area) scored the opening goal and assisted on the other Arcadia tally to finish with three points. Sophomore Marilyn Beatty (Chalfont, PA/North Penn) scored the insurance goal for the Knights for her seventh goal on the season. Today's win snaps a two-game losing skid for the Knights who remain above .500 improving to 8-6 (1-2 C'wealth).
Arcadia and Immaculata both struggled to generate a true attack for the majority of the game, each finishing with 7 shots, however, it was the Knights who made the most of their opportunities. While Arcadia has earned several corner opportunities on the season, they have had a tough time finding the back of the goal off of them, but this afternoon the team made the most of them. Off a feed from first-year Ashley Ditchey (Nicholson, PA/Lackawanna Trail) off a corner, McCarthy gathered the ball in the center of the circle and fired it past the Immaculata keeper to give Arcadia the 1-0 advantage. It was the senior's first goal of the season
The Knights would take their 1-0 lead into half-time carrying a substantial amount of momentum with them, having out-shot their opponent 4-1, and earning two more corner opportunities, 5-3. With the score still at 1-0 heading into the final twenty minutes of play, Arcadia would look to put some distance between themselves and their hosts. In the 52nd minute, Arcadia would earn another corner try, and once again convert, this time McCarthy would provide the feed to Beatty who tipped home her team-leading ninth goal of the season. With the score Arcadia would go up 2-0, with 18 minutes remaining.
Now finding themselves down two goals, Immaculata would look to turn up the heat, and force the Arcadia defense to buckle down for the final minutes of play. In the 60th minute Immaculata's Lauren Bigos would recover the ball off a scramble in front of Knight keeper Sara Baumgardner (Hatboro, PA/Upper Moreland) and spoil Arcadia's 2 goal lead with a little under 10 minutes to play in the contest. Although the Mighty Macs would find themselves a few more opportunities at the equalizer, they were unable to break through, as Arcadia would hold on for the 2-1 victory. Baumgardner would finish with 3 saves and earns her second win (2-2) of the season.
Arcadia returns to the field this Saturday October 16th when they travel to #2 nationally ranked Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley for a Commonwealth Conference match-up. Game time is scheduled for 11 am.
