Fitchburg State Nips Johnson and Wales, 1-0 (OT)

Stearns collects first collegiate goal in Falcons season opening victory

FITCHBURG, Mass. (September 5, 2013) – Freshman Stephanie Stearns (Mystic, Conn./Stonington) notched the game-winning mark just 32 seconds into overtime to lift the Fitchburg State field hockey team to a 1-0 victory over Johnson and Wales University this evening in non-conference action at Elliot Field.

In the opening frame, the Falcons come out firing, registering eight shots on target, but Johnson and Wales goaltender Jaclyn Lyons (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) was outstanding in net, turning aside all eight shots she faced in the first period of play.

Fitchburg State's best scoring opportunity of the half came with just under four minutes remaining in the period as Stearns collected a rebound off the stick of sophomore Erin Morrissey (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Regional) and blasted a point blank shot on frame but Lyons made a sprawling save to preserve the 0-0 deadlock going in intermission.

Following the break, the Green and Gold continued the offensive pressure in the second half, receiving a pair of scoring chances from Morrissey and Stearns only to be denied by Lyons to force the overtime period.

In the extra frame, the Falcons finally broke the 0-0 stalemate just 32 seconds into the stanza as freshman Madeline Hoffman (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) intercepted a pass and streaked down the near sideline before delivering a feed to Stearns in front of the net. Stearns then blasted a shot inside the far post for her first collegiate score, resulting in the 1-0 final.

Fitchburg State controlled the offensive end, out-shooting Johnson and Wales by a 23-5 margin, including a 23-5 advantage in shots on goal. In the cage, junior Lucy Holewa (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) picked up the victory, stopping two shots for the Falcons, while Lyons stole the show, posting 16 saves for the Wildcats in the complete game effort.

Fitchburg State (1-0, 0-0 LEC) returns to action on Tuesday as it visits the Engineers of WPI at 7 p.m. Johnson and Wales (0-3) will host Saint Joseph's College (ME.) on Sunday at 1 p.m.