SCRANTON, Pa. – The Moravian College field hockey team rallied back from a 1-0 first-half deficit with back-to-back goals in the second half to defeat Marywood University 2-1 on Saturday afternoon on the road.
Despite outshooting their opponent 29-3, the Greyhounds (4-3) were forced to play from behind after the Pacers scored in the 21st minute. The Moravian women were up for the challenge.
Shortly after halftime, junior forward Taylor Holly equalized for the Greyhounds in the 40th minute when she followed her own rebounded shot with another, which she buried in the back of the cage. Just over three minutes later, senior forward Keriann Badessa put a one-time shot off the stick of sophomore forward Kelly O'Donnell in the net for the eventual game-winner.
"In the second half our passing, spacing and general team play was very good," said head coach Amy Endler. "We became the aggressor in the second half and it paid off. I am happy for the players to finally see results on the scoreboard."
Badessa's bullet of a shot was one of 10 from the senior, and she is now tied for the team lead in goals with three and total points with six. Holly's tally was her second of the 2013 season.
The Greyhounds did not rest easy with the 2-1 lead. For the remaining 26 minutes of the match, Moravian kept the offensive pressure coming, and the defense did not allow another shot on senior goalkeeper Andrea Eck, who posted one save in her fourth victory of the year in goal.
The Blue and Grey took 21 penalty corners, opposed to Marywood's three.
"I am pleased with the result," Endler said. "We are doing an excellent job in getting shots and forcing corners. Today we were able to capitalize on those attempts."
Marywood dropped to 0-7 with the loss.
Endler said the bus ride home was one of both celebration and focus. The enthusiasm from an exciting road win slowly morphed to looking ahead to this weekend's short turnaround. Moravian plays again on Sunday at Rocco Calvo Field in Bethlehem against Roanoke (Va.) College in a 2 p.m. non-conference match.
"I hope we can bring this momentum to Calvo Field," Endler said.
