Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Old Dominion
Mastropaolo Hat Trick Sends No. 12 Drexel Past No. 16 Old Dominion, 3-2
10/9/2009 6:33:20 PM | Field Hockey
Norfolk, Va. - Junior Christina Mastropaolo continued her remarkable season as she scored three goals, including two over the final 15 minutes to give the Dragons a 3-2 comeback victory over Old Dominion. The win was the first ever for Drexel at Old Dominion, the program with the most Division I field hockey national championships in the country. The win over the conference preseason favorite pushed Drexel's record to 10-2 overall and 3-1 in the CAA.
Mastropaolo's game-tying goal came with just under 15 minutes remaining when she took a Susan Ciufo pass and beat goalie Kelly Driscoll to knot the score. With less than nine minutes remaining, a centering pass was deflected in front by Driscoll but not cleared as Mastropaolo was at the right place at the right time as she put the ball into the empty cage to record the game-winner. Kathleen Shea took the game's last shot for the Lady Monarchs' with under three minutes remaining but the ball missed wide.
Old Dominion scored the first goal of the second half to break a 1-1 tie. Katie Ueberroth scored on a Loran Hatch assist 15 minutes into the second frame. Less than two minutes later, Ciufo nearly tied the score but an outstanding defensive save by Hatch kept the Lady Monarchs in the lead until Mastropaolo's second half fireworks.
Drexel opened the game's scoring with an unassisted goal from Mastropaolo before Old Dominion responded with a Hatch blast directly off a penalty corner. Hatch had a fantastic all-around game in the loss with a goal, an assist and a defensive save. Jenna Phillips stopped four shots in earning the victory while Driscoll saved two. Old Dominion outshot Drexel, 16-10, and earned nine penalty corners to the Dragons' five.
Drexel is now a perfect 10-0 on the season when scoring three or more goals and 0-2 when recording two or less. Mastropaolo became the first player in more than 11 years to score three goals against Old Dominion in a conference game. Her big game also gave her the CAA lead in goals and points as she broke a tie with Ciufo, though Ciufo's assist gave her the conference lead with seven as she broke a tie with Mastropaolo. Mastropaolo now has 17 goals and six assists for a total of 40 points this season.
Drexel will look to continue its winning ways on Sunday as the Dragons will stay in Virginia to face William & Mary at 1:00 p.m.
