Field Hockey Concludes Season at the 2012 NCAA Championship

Saturday, November 10

Charlottesville, Va.

11:30

Drexel University

(15-7)

Princeton

(18-1)

Drexel

Princeton

Photo by: Ryan Samson

Field Hockey Concludes Season at the 2012 NCAA Championship

11/10/2012 1:19:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

| Player Interviews | Coach Interview

Charlottesville, Va. – Drexel University's field hockey program's historic season came to an end with a 5-0 loss to No. 2 Princeton (18-1) in the opening round of its first ever automatic bid to the NCAA Championships hosted at the University of Virginia. The Dragons held the Tigers to one goal after the first 35 minutes of play, but Princeton went on a four-goal spurt in the second half securing the lead until the game clock expired. Drexel, the 2012 Colonial Athletic Association Champions, finished the season 15-7 overall.

The Dragons defense was tested early as the Tigers gained momentum into Drexel's circle off the opening whistle. With nine minutes off the clock, the Tigers converted on a penalty corner to take the lead, 1-0. Sharkey passed the ball across the circle to teammate Amanda Bird who tipped the ball into the upper right side of the cage. In the 19^th minute, the Dragons had a similar scoring opportunity off of a corner, but the ball narrowly missed the cage just popping over the crossbar. Both teams carried out the rest of the half without a goal. The Tigers outshot the Dragons, 10-2, and tallied eight penalty corners to Drexel's two in the first half.

In the opening minute of the second half, Princeton's Sharkey broke towards the right side of the field making a long pass to the opposite side of the turf to teammate Sydney Kirby who had an open look to cage. Jantien Gunter charged the incoming player, but the ball slipped under her pads as she slid out for a stack, 2-0. In the 26^th minute of the second half, Gunter blocked an incoming strike from Sharkey off of a penalty corner. Gunter made three consecutive stops on the play to hold off the Tigers. Drexel's defense continued to break up plays inside the circle, but Princeton found a way to tally three more goals extending the lead to five, 5-0. Their final goal came in the last two minutes of the game off of a corner.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jantien Gunter had an outstanding performance tying her career-high with 12 saves along with a great defensive effort by the Dragons. Drexel faced 28 shots and 13 penalty corners on the day. Gunter concluded her first season with 128 stops, including six shutouts for the Dragons. Junior back Kristen Focht finished the year with four defensive saves.

Saturday's game also marked the final contest for Drexel's senior Amanda Fleischut. The captain led the attack with 11 goals and eight assists for a team-high of 30 points. Fleischut is now sixth on Drexel's all-time leaderboard with 26 goals and 18 career assists. She also ranks eighth with 70 career points and the only Drexel Field Hockey player to compete in two NCAA contests. Junior Lindsay McArdle had the most goals with 12 and finished the season second in scoring with 27 points. Together, the Dragons faced nine nationally ranked programs and outscored their opponents, 45-38, including 4-0 in overtime play this year.