2 0 0 0


1 9 9 9



1 9 9 8


 

Delaware 2, Drexel 1

October 21, 2000

Juli Byrd
PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Juli Byrd's second goal of the day with 14:23 left in the second sudden death overtime period lifted Delaware past Drexel, 2-1, Saturday evening at Franklin Field in America East field hockey action.

The win kept the Blue Hens in a tie atop the America East standings with New Hampshire and clinched America East Tournament berth. With New Hampshire's 3-1 win at Maine Saturday afternoon, the Blue Hens and Wildcats are tied atop the conference standings at 5-1. Defending champion Boston University sits just behind at 6-2 and is finished its conference slate after defeating Northeastern, 2-0, Saturday to also clinch a tournament spot. Northeastern was eliminated from tournament contention for the first time ever with its loss.

Drexel scored first when Jen Campbell scored her first goal of the season with 5:30 remaining in the first half.

Delaware struck back when Byrd scored off a penalty corner with helpers from Kelly Coyle and Megan Fortunato just 1:29 before half.

Byrd scored the game-winner just 37 seconds into the second sudden-death session when she scored on a penalty stroke. Byrd beat Drexel goalkeeper Heather Haigh with a shot high to the stick side for her 10th goal of the season. The junior from Pocomoke, MD moved into 14th place on the UD all-time points list with 59, ahead of Sue Daddona and Joan Molaison, who she began the day tied with.

Delaware outshot Drexel, 17-4 for the game. Stephanie Judefind had one save for Delaware, while Haigh finished with six for Drexel.

In sorting out the remaining tournament spot, it appears that three teams are vying for the final position, with Northeastern now on the outside. Hofstra (3-4 in league play) faces Vermont (2-3 in the league) Sunday on Long Island. Vermont also faces road games at Northeastern and Drexel next week. Vermont must win all three games in order to gain its first tournament spot. A Drexel win would put the Dragons into the tournament for the first time since 1992. Should the Dragons lose, they could still get in the tournament, but would need some other things to happen at that point.

Hofstra's scenerio is a whole lot trickier. For the Pride to get in for the first time ever, they have to beat Vermont and Vermont has to in-turn beat Northeastern and Drexel. At that point, Drexel, Vermont and Hofstra would have identical 4-4 records and be 1-1 against each other. Using the next tie-breaker, Hofstra would gain the advantage in record vs. teams in the standings in descending order. Regardless of where Delaware and New Hampshire finish, they do not break the tie because they have swept all three tied teams. Hofstra, however, is the only team in the three-way tie that would own a win over Boston University and would thus get into the tournament.

The Blue Hens battle New Hampshire Friday night with first-place on the line at Rullo Stadium beginning at 7 p.m.

AGATE

DELAWARE.......1.....0.....0.....1.....- 2

DREXEL............1.....0.....0.....0.....- 1

SCORING: First half: DRX - Campbell (unassisted) 5:30 remaining; DEL - Byrd (Fortunato, Coyle) 1:29; Second half: NONE; First OT: NONE; Second OT: DEL - Byrd (penalty stroke) 14:23. SHOTS: DEL - 17, DRX 4. SAVES: DEL Judefind 1; DRX: Haigh 6. PENALTY CORNERS: DEL - 7, DRX - 3. PENALTY STROKES: DEL 1 (Byrd - good).

 

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