Drexel University
Rutgers
Ciufo Leads Dragons to Season Opening Win Over Rutgers
8/28/2009 10:52:20 PM | Field Hockey
Piscataway, N.J. – Susan Ciufo's first career hat trick led Drexel to a 3-2 victory over Rutgers in the first-ever game at the Scarlet Knights' Bauer Complex. The season-opening win avenged one of Drexel's four losses from a season ago. Rutgers, who received votes in the preseason national poll, dropped to 0-1 on the season. Ciufo, a Third Team All-American in 2008, also set a career high with six points in the victory.
Rutgers got on the board first as Jessika Hoh fired a reverse shot off a rebound in front. Susan Ciufo responded after she picked up a rebound off of a Kim Tunell shot on a penalty corner. Ciufo calmly took the ball off the pads of goalie Shanice Beasley and put the ball into the empty cage. The goal extended the nation's longest point scoring streak as Ciufo has now recorded at least one point in each of the last 21 games dating back to last season. Rutgers regained the lead as a Sarah Dunn shot was deflected high into the air and over Drexel goalie Jenna Phillips and into the cage. Again Drexel answered after Jordan Freese fed Christina Mastropaolo as she streaked down the left side. Mastropaolo charged the goal and deftly slid the ball to the middle after drawing Beasley out of the cage. Ciufo collected the ball and again found the back of the empty cage. Just before halftime, Rutgers earned a penalty corner and fired a shot that was blocked and controlled by Jennifer Bolger. Bolger sent the ball ahead to Ciufo who fired a pass ahead of Mastropaolo. The junior raced in toward the cage but was thwarted at the halftime horn by a charging Beasley.
Drexel finally took the lead after Amanda Coffey found Ciufo in the middle of the circle. Ciufo moved the ball to the right and rifled a shot that rocked the back of the cage. The Dragons controlled the ball for the majority of the second half as Carolina Gibernau dominated the midfield and initiated the majority of Drexel's second period attacks. Drexel outshot the Scarlet Knights, 17-9, in the game including an 8-1 advantage in the second half. Jenna Phillips earned the victory as she made four saves in her first career collegiate appearance. Beasley stopped eight in her collegiate debut. The Dragons earned eight penalty corners to Rutgers' four.
Drexel returns to action on Sunday, Aug. 30 as the Dragons open their home schedule on Buckley Field. La Salle will visit 43rd and Powelton for the noon game.
