ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Field Hockey got back in the win column on Wednesday afternoon, defeating Delaware Valley University in a non-conference match, 3-1.
Ayla Mergen led the way with two goals on two shots.
Gabriella Cappelli attempted to pepper the cage with a game-high six shots while
Jess Silver scored a goal on three shots.
Ly'Airrah Sanders made one save to earn the win in her collegiate debut.
Five minutes into the game, Mergen moved in on a long breakaway and tucked in the game's first goal for a 1-0 lead. Delaware Valley responded just over a minute later as an outside shot bounced in to tie the game. 2:28 into the second quarter,
Jamie Reed dangled her way into the circle from the side. She then cut through two defenders for a better angle and nudged the ball off the far-side post for her first goal of the season.
Looking for more, the Knights fired five high-quality shots in the last six minutes of the half, but all were turned away. The third quarter was more of the same as Neumann pressed the attack. With 1:09 left,
Cadence Conti rifled a pass from 20 yards outside of the circle that connected to
Natalie Zoffer. Zoffer spun it to Silver who fired it across the goal mouth to Mergen who scored her fourth of the year, sealing the game.
Overall, Neumann outshot the Aggies, 28-2, and had a 17-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Knights were also awarded eight penalty corners while yielding only one.
Neumann (3-2) will be back in action on Saturday for their Senior Day game. The Knights will battle against King's College for a 4:00 PM start, but the Senior Day ceremony will start at about 3:40 PM.
