CHESTER, Pa. – A magical season for the Widener University field hockey team added another chapter on Wednesday night as the Pride recorded its first ever postseason win with a 2-0 victory against the DeSales Bulldogs in the ECAC Division III Field Hockey Championship quarterfinals.
WHAT IT MEANS
With the win, Widener advances to the semifinals where it will take on the top seed in its pod, FDU-Florham, on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. on the campus of Alvernia University in Reading, Pa. The winner of that match will square off against the victor of the other semifinal between Alvernia and Stockton on Sunday at noon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Widener got on the board early in the second half as the Bulldogs were whistled for a foul right in front of the cage. Kayla Herr stepped to the line and drove the penalty stroke past the keeper for her 14th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
- Late in the period, the Blue and Gold once again applied offensive pressure. With the ball loose around the cage, Jackie Daniels took a shot that deflected off a DeSales stick and ended up in the back of the net.
- The two teams battled through a scoreless first half with the Pride controlling the play early before the Bulldogs pressured in the latter stages of the frame.
FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME
The win was the first ever postseason tournament victory for Widener field hockey. It is the Blue and Gold's second ever appearance in the ECAC Tournament.
RARIFIED AIR
The victory was the 12th of the year for the Pride, matching the 2003 and 2007 teams for the second highest single season total in program history. The 2006 squad won 13 contests.
