Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Northeastern
Field Hockey Emphatically Punches Ticket to Virginia Beach with 3-0 Win over Northeastern
10/19/2007 8:42:20 PM | Field Hockey
Philadelphia - The Drexel field hockey team clinched a berth in the Colonial Athletic Association postseason tournament with a decisive 3-0 victory over visiting Northeastern. The Dragons (9-7, 4-2 CAA) got a pair of goals from freshman forward Susan Ciufo while senior Emily Horvat added a score in her final game at Buckley Field. The win was Drexel's second-ever against the Huskies (6-10, 2-3 CAA) in 15 meetings and also avenged a 7-0 defeat last season. The victory marked the fourth triumph in CAA play this season, the most since the Dragons joined the conference in 2002.
The game was tightly contested throughout but Ciufo's finishes at the cage were the difference. Less than 14 minutes into the game, she deflected a ball into the pads of Huskies' goalie Liz Centofanti. Ciufo corralled the rebound and calmly sent a shot into the cage to give Drexel a 1-0 lead. The score remained 1-0 into halftime though the Dragons continued to pressure the Northeastern defense. Drexel outshot the Huskies, 11-4, and held a 4-1 advantage in penalty corners.
In the second half, Drexel doubled its lead when sophomore Jordan Freese sent a ball in from the right side and found Ciufo alone in front of the cage. Cuifo sent a one-timer screaming into the cage while the Drexel faithful screamed from the stands. In fitting fashion, it was Horvat who notched the final goal on a loose ball after a penalty corner. Horvat, along with fellow seniors Sarah Gostomski and Casey Mouser, were honored before the game as part of Senior Day festivities.
The Drexel defense posted its third conference shutout of the season as goalie Colleen McAndrew made four saves. The midfield had as much to do with the shutout as the defense as Gostomski and sophomore Carolina Gibernau kept the Huskies' attack at bay. The opportunities Northeastern did get were turned away by the likes of Mouser, Enck and Jennifer Bolger in back.
The Dragons return to the field on Wednesday, Oct. 24 with a non-conference game at Lehigh.
