The NCAA News - News Features

Home field lifts College of New Jersey to III field hockey title

The name changed but the song remained the same as the College of New Jersey, formerly known as Trenton State College, won its second consecutive Division III Field Hockey Championship by defeating Hartwick, 2-1, November 16.

Playing in front of their home fans, the Lions jumped out to a 2-0 first-half lead. Donna Pecoraro got the first goal on an assist from Laura Stryjewski at 26:27, and freshman Jamie Holtz scored her second game-winner of the year with 7:06 left in the first half, assisted by Melanie Vasofski.

Hartwick closed the gap to 2-1 with 2:21 left in the half as Erin Ross scored on a pass from Nicole Rushton. The Hawks held the Lions scoreless the rest of the game but never could find a second goal of their own.

"This is what we're aiming for every season," said New Jersey coach Sharon Pfluger, who was celebrating her birthday. "We teach our kids to thrive on pressure, and it never gets old."

Despite the tight final score, New Jersey dominated Hartwick statistically, outshooting the Hawks, 49-5, with Hartwick goalkeeper Shelly Hall making a tournament-record 33 saves. The old record was 30, set by Cathie Herrick of Kenyon against Wittenberg in 1994.

Vasofski, who made the all-tournament team for the second consecutive year, was joined on that squad by teammates Pecoraro and Beth Pursell. Hartwick honorees were Rushton and Jen Motyka. Cortland State's Dani Innerst made the team for the second time in three years and was joined by teammates Jonna Macri, Jackie Mouillesseaux and Catherine Bodisco-Massink. Lebanon Valley honorees were Andrea Stetler and Angela Lewis.

The Lions finished the season at 21-1, while Hartwick fell to 20-2.

SEMIFINALS

Cortland St. -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

Col. of New Jersey -- 0 -- 0 -- 1 -- 1

Overtime: CNJ--Tiffany Trockenbrod (Beth Pursell), 3:19.

Shots: Cortland St. 11, Col. of New Jersey 18. Goalkeeper saves: CS--Catherine Bodisco-Massink 11; CNJ--Sara Hill 9. Penalty corners: Cortland St. 3, Col. of New Jersey 10.

Hartwick -- 3 -- 0 -- 3

Lebanon Valley -- 1 -- 1 -- 2

First half: LV--Andrea Stetler (unassisted), 34:39; H--Jennifer Motyka (May Tiller), 27:32; H--Motyka (Erin Ross), 15:41. H--Ross (Nicole Rushton), 9:47.

Second half: LV--Erin Schmidt (Amanda Ott), 8:19.

Shots: Hartwick 17, Lebanon Valley 11. Goalkeeper saves: H--Shelly Hall 8; LV--Joanna Bates 10. Penalty corners: Hartwick 9, Lebanon Valley 11.

THIRD PLACE

Lebanon Valley -- 0 -- 0--0

Cortland St. -- 1 -- 2--3

First half: CS--Kristin DeMarzo (unassisted), 17:00.

Second half: CS--Dani Innerst (Courtnie Smith), 8:57; Smith (unassisted), 0:33.

Shots: Lebanon Valley 5, Cortland St. 17. Goalkeeper saves: LV--Joanna Bates 8; CS--Catherine Bodisco-Massink 6. Penalty corners: Lebanon Valley 10, Cortland St. 9.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Hartwick -- 1 -- 0--1

Col. of New Jersey -- 2 -- 0--2

First half: CNJ--Donna Pecoraro (Laura Stryjewski), 26:27; CNJ--Jamie Holtz (Melanie Vasofski), 7:06; H--Erin Ross (Nicole Rushton), 2:21.

Shots: Hartwick 5, Col. of New Jersey 49. Goalkeeper saves: H--Shelly Hall 33; CNJ--Sara Hill 4. Penalty corners: Hartwick 4, Col. of New Jersey 16.