Story Courtesy of Stevens Athletics

Hoboken, N.J. – Jess Kopernick and Taylor Brooks each scored as the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team blanked Misericordia University 2-0 in the semifinals of the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Championship Tournament Wednesday afternoon at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

Lauren Flynn and Molly DiCampli each handed out an assist for the Ducks (15-4), who advanced to the conference championship match. Natalie Ward earned the shutout in goal as Stevens limited Misericordia (10-8) to just three shots, none of which were on target.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Stevens wasted little time applying pressure, as Flynn had a shot blocked just 23 seconds into the contest before Sophia Cozza had an attempt blocked less than a minute later. The Ducks earned their first penalty corner at 2:07 and broke through just over a minute later. Flynn sent a pass across the goalmouth to Kopernick, who found the back of the cage at 3:16 to give Stevens an early 1-0 advantage.

Misericordia looked to respond midway through the opening period, but the Stevens defense blocked attempts from Madison Lasinski and Celeste Hoffman to preserve the one-goal lead. The Ducks carried the 1-0 advantage into the second quarter. Scoring opportunities were limited in the second period, with Stevens registering the only shot of the frame. Flynn sent an attempt wide in the 24th minute as the Ducks maintained their one-goal advantage heading into halftime. The Stevens defense held Misericordia without a shot throughout the second quarter.

The Ducks continued to apply pressure after the break, with Cozza forcing a save from Misericordia goalkeeper Jordan Nonnemacher just over a minute into the third quarter. Stevens doubled its advantage in the 39th minute following a penalty corner. DiCampli connected with Brooks, who buried her attempt at 38:44 to extend the lead to 2-0. Misericordia earned a penalty corner just over a minute later, but Delaney Miller's ensuing shot was blocked by the Stevens defense.

Stevens controlled the final quarter, earning six penalty corners and outshooting Misericordia 4-0 over the final 15 minutes. Cozza forced a save from Nonnemacher in the 48th minute before Flynn put another attempt on target in the 54th minute. The Ducks did not allow a shot in the fourth quarter, securing the 2-0 shutout and advancing to the MAC Freedom Championship final.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Stevens held a 10-3 advantage in shots, including a 5-0 edge in shots on goal.
• The Ducks earned eight penalty corners compared to one for Misericordia, including six in the fourth quarter.
• Kopernick recorded the game-winning goal, while Brooks added the insurance tally in the third quarter.
• Cozza and Flynn tied for the team lead with three shots apiece, with Cozza placing two attempts on goal.
• Ward earned the shutout without needing to make a save, improving to 14-4 on the season.
• Stevens held Misericordia without a shot in both the second and fourth quarters.

UP NEXT
Stevens advances to the MAC Freedom Championship final, where the Ducks will look to capture their fourth consecutive conference title Saturday. The opponent and game time will be determined later tonight.