Drexel Wins 2012 CAA Field Hockey Championship

11/4/2012 11:05:00 PM

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (November 4, 2012) - Top-seeded Drexel won its first ever CAA Field Hockey Championship Sunday afternoon after scoring the game-winning goal three minutes into overtime and securing a 2-1 victory over second-seeded Northeastern. The Dragons (15-6, 5-2 CAA) have earned the CAA's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, set to begin next weekend.

Drexel senior Amanda Fleischut earned the championship's Most Outstanding Performer award after recording a goal and an assist. Sophomore forward Christina Conrad registered the game-winning goal, her first of the championship. Northeastern (14-6, 5-2 CAA) was led by freshman forward Deirdre Duke who registered a goal on four shots.

Northeastern was first on the scoreboard with an early goal by Duke in the fourth minute. Duke received a pass in front of the Drexel cage from senior forward Crystal Poland and beat sophomore goal keeper Jantien Gunter one-on-one and tapped the ball into the lower right corner.

Drexel answered with a goal from Fleischut in the 32^nd minute to tie the score at 1-1. Fleischut launched a shot just inside the arch which bounced off a Husky defender past senior goalkeeper Lizzie Priest into the middle of the cage.

Defense dominated the second half with each team receiving numerous chances, but neither squad was able to register a goal. Northeastern outshot Drexel 6-2 in the second half and held the advantage on PC's, 8-3. Drexel sophomore goalkeeper Jantien Gunter made two of her four saves in the second half en route to picking up the win and earned All-Championship honors.

The Dragons were awarded a penalty corner just two minutes into overtime and fired a shot that hit a NU defender's foot, giving Drexel a second consecutive PC. On the second penalty corner, Fleischut received the pass at the top of the key and faked a shot which drew the Huskies' defense away from the cage. Fleischut then passed the ball to Conrad who got in behind the defense and fired a shot into the middle of the cage to give the Dragons the 2-1 victory and the CAA title.

CAA All-Championship Team

Deirdre Duke, Northeastern

Jantien Gunter, Drexel

Lauren Hibshman, Drexel

Janell Holmes, Delaware

Lindsay McArdle, Drexel

Michaela Patzner, Delaware

Crystal Poland, Northeastern

Christine Tase, Northeastern

Rachel Wein, James Madison

Taylor West, James Madison

Most Outstanding Performer: Amanda Fleischut, Drexel