GLENSIDE, PA: (Oct. 9, 2010) - Arcadia Field Hockey (7-6, 1-2 CC) scored first in today's Commonwealth Conference match-up with Elizabethtown, however, the Blue Jays responded with three unanswered goals for the 3-1 victory. Junior Mel McNamee (Philadelphia, PA/Little Flower) scored her first goal of the season for the Knights.
Early on Arcadia applied heavy pressure on Elizabethtown's defense, forcing the ball into the circle and making the Blue Jays scramble to protect their cage. McNamee took advantage of the Blue Jays on their heels, as she gained control of a loose ball in the circle and scored high on the E-town keeper to put Arcadia ahead 1-0, 10 minutes into the game. Unfortunately it seemed as if the early goal woke up the opposition as they quickly countered in an aggressive attack of their own and 5 minutes later scored the equalizer, knotting the game at one goal a piece.
Elizabethtown would keep the momentum on their end of the field for the remainder of the first half, earning five corners and getting off 11 shots, with Arcadia only able to connect twice more in the opening half. However, the score would remain the same until the closing seconds of the half. Elizabethtown would transition from defense quickly up the middle of the field, making crisp passes and filling in the lanes, with just about a second remaining the first half, the Blue Jays would capitalize, scoring the go-ahead goal and taking confidence with them into half-time and a 2-1 lead.
Five minutes into the second half the Blue Jays would add an insurance goal to go up 3-1, and all but seal the victory. Both teams played evenly in the second half, with Elizabethtown having a slight 3-2 advantage in shots. The Knights were never able to regain control of the game following the opening minutes of play, as the Blue Jays allowed limited chances for attack, finishing the game with a 16-5 advantage in shots.
Sophomore Marissa Perez (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) saved a game-high seven shots in the first half before being relieved by classmate Sarah Baumgardner (Hatboro, PA/Upper Moreland) who stopped one shot in the second period. Caitlin Grimes, Liz DeMatteis and Lindsey Fasold scored for the Blue Jays who improve to 8-3 overall and 2-1 in the Commonwealth.
Arcadia returns to action Wednesday October 13th when they travel to Immaculata for a 4 pm non-conference game. Commonwealth play resumes on Oct. 16 in Annville at Lebanon Valley College.
