Field hockey loses home NE-10 tourney game, finishes season 8-12

12/01/2010

Southern’s furious finish in the Northeast-10 conference standings gave them the privilege of hosting a playoff game, unfortunately ball control and 25 Panthers’ shots led the way as Adelphi University defeated Southern Connecticut State University field hockey, 2-1.

Adelphi continued a two game winning streak and advanced to the Northeast-10 semifinals against number one seed and number one nationally ranked, University of Massachusetts Lowell.

The Owls came into the tournament as the number four seed while the Panthers were a number five seed.

The Owls won a three-way tiebreaker against Adelphi and Franklin Pierce University for the right to host the home game. Southern recently lost at Franklin Pierce, 4-2, on Nov. 10.

The first half was fast paced and showcased good defense from both teams.

Adelphi struck first at 31:58 in the first half when junior forward Julianne Gerbino knocked in a goal from the goal line, assisted by junior forward Jeanette Heimerle, to take a 1-0 lead that held up going into halftime. Gerbino took five shots in the game.

Early in the second half, the Owls had limited opportunities to tie the game. Adelphi extended their lead to 2-0 at 56:37 when junior defender Crystal Gray scored off of her own penalty corner, assisted by sophomore midfielder Emilee Rahner.

Southern head coach Kelley Frassinelli said the team was on and off throughout the game.

“We left too much space between lines,” said Frassinelli. “(Adelphi) played the players (on Southern) not the lines, and I told our players not to get frustrated.”

The game showcased physical play with three cards being given out, two on Adelphi and one on Southern. There were 37 total shots. In the first half, Heimerle received a green card at 10:34. Lahm received a green card at 13:59 for Southern. Adelphi sophomore defender Danielle Demola received a yellow card at 54:14 in the second half, forcing her to sit for seven minutes in the half.

Southern cut the lead to 2-1 with in the 59th minute when sophomore midfielder and forward Laura Dembofsky scored in front of the net, off an assist from freshman midfielder and defender Meghan Lahm.

Officials met after the play, but they upheld the call of a goal on the field. Dembofsky took four shots in the game, finishing with the one goal.

Southern was given penalty corners towards the end of the game, but could not tie it up. Southern had eight penalty corners to Adelphi’s seven.

Paige Donlin, Southern’s sophomore midfielder and defender, said the game was even on both sides.

“(Adelphi) stuck with us and came at us hard,” said Donlin. “We came out ready to play.”

Lauren Zarrella, Southern senior goalie, had 13 saves while giving up two goals in 70 minutes of play.

Adelphi junior goalie, Lucia Vigliotti, had four saves while giving up one goal in 70 minutes of play.

Adelphi freshman midfielder Jami DeGrote was injured just before halftime when she left the game due to a nose injury. She did return in the second half.

“We just need to continue to work together in the off-season to get better,” said Dembofsky.

Adelphi moved to 13-8 overall and 7-4 in conference. Southern finished the season at 8-12 overall and 6-5 in conference.