Nov. 18, 2008
BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott College Gulls defeated Plymouth State University 1-0 on Tuesday to win the 2008 ECAC Field Hockey Championship. The Commonwealth Coast Conference Rookie of the Year Anna Giannoni (Granby, Conn.) scored in the 36th minute to break the 0-0 tie off of a pass from fellow freshman Alexandra Parese (Wilton, Conn.).
The first half of the contest ended in a 0-0 tie. Each team had their opportunities but neither could capitalize. The Panthers outshot the Gulls 11-3 in the period including four shots from junior Sarah Smith (Lexington, Mass.). Endicott senior goalkeeper Chelsea DeFeo (York, Maine) made six saves in the period while her counterpart, Elyse Sedgley (Hopkinton, N.H.) had a save on all three shots she faced.
The second half started off well for the Gulls as Giannoni capitalized on the scoring opportunity off the stick of Parese giving the Gulls the 1-0 lead to start the second frame. Plymouth State would not go quietly however as they continued their offensive onslaught and took another 10 shots in the frame. The Panthers controlled possession for most of the half including having complete control in the final 10 minutes. Plymouth State took seven of their 10 shots in the final 10 minutes including an opportunity on a penalty corner with no time remaining. The Panthers' Kristina Conroy (Wakefield, Mass.) took the final shot on goal that sailed just wide, ending the game and crowning the Gulls as the champs.
Chelsea DeFeo made 11 saves in the contest on facing 21 shots for her eleventh shutout of the year. For her efforts, DeFeo was named Most Outstanding Player of the ECAC Tournament by recording two shutouts in the Gulls two victories. Plymouth State's Elyse Sedgley had six saves on 10 shots in the loss.
Endicott wraps up its season at 18-5 overall. The Gulls have accumulated their most wins in a single season since winning 16 games in 2006-07. Endicott outscored its opponents by a 66-24 margin and only gave up 1.04 goals per game. The Plymouth State University Panthers end their season at 15-8.
