PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Field Hockey showed resilience on Wednesday night but came up just short in a 2-1 defeat to Adelphi University. The Setters, now 1-6 overall and 1–2 in the Northeast 10 Conference, were led by a career-best performance from goalkeeper
Morgan Strecker, who finished with 17 saves to keep her side within striking distance.
Adelphi opened the scoring in the first quarter, converting on a penalty corner in the ninth minute to grab a 1-0 lead. The Panthers applied heavy pressure in the second frame, but Strecker was sensational, making nine stops in the quarter to prevent the deficit from growing. Despite being outshot 14-4 in the first half, the Setters went into the break trailing by just one.
The Blue and Gold equalized shortly after halftime when senior
Sydney Sims scored in the 32nd minute off a setup from
Josefina Villa Alonso. Pace carried the momentum for much of the third quarter, generating multiple corners and shots, while Strecker continued her strong play in the cage with five more saves.
Adelphi struck again early in the fourth quarter, finding the eventual game-winner on another corner to make it 2-1. Pace pressed late with four penalty corners in the final minutes, including two shots on target from
Feline Rook, but the tying goal would not come.
Statistically, Adelphi finished with a 25-11 advantage in shots and a 20-13 edge in penalty corners, yet Strecker's 17-save effort ensured the contest remained close throughout. Her total set a new career high and marked one of the top goalkeeping outings in the NE10 this fall.
The Setters continue their homestand on Saturday at 12:00 p.m., when they host American International College at Peter X. Finnerty Field.