Box score

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Stevenson University field hockey team returned from an 11-day layoff to post a 2-1 victory over local rival Goucher on Saturday morning at the Caves Complex in what was a somewhat unusual game.

The Mustangs (7-8) posted their second win of the season over Goucher after handing the Gophers a 2-0 defeat at home back on August 31 in the Black Eyed Susan Tournament.

Freshman Kelli Battista (Elkridge/Long Reach) started the scoring for Stevenson just over seven minutes into the game when she scored her fourth goal of the year to rank second on the team behind senior Krissy Leventis (Baltimore/Lutheran).

Senior Cat Connelly (Fallston/Fallston) picked up her seventh assist of the season on the play, tying her with Allison Roush of York (Pa.) for tops in the CAC.

Stevenson would hold its one goal lead until Ali Metzger scored her team-leading third goal of the season for Goucher (4-11), assisted by Sara Spadanuta on a penalty corner, with just 19 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Mustangs would score what proved to be the game-winner just four minutes into the second half when Leventis scored her ninth goal of the season off an assist from freshman Brittany Martin (Hampstead/Hereford).

The goal proved to be the difference even though Stevenson scored what was believed to be five other goals, four of which came in the second half, only to have them reversed by officiating decisions. The Gophers were not immune either as they had a goal disallowed in the second half as well.

Sophomore Kara Zimmerman (Odenton/Arundel) made three saves in earning her seventh win of the season while Micki Manheimer suffered her third loss in four decisions after playing all 35 minutes of the second half in relief of starter Chloe Dircks.

Stevenson, who needs two wins in its final three games to tie the school record for wins in a season, returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts No. 9 Salisbury beginning at 4:00 p.m.

The Mustangs are currently in fourth place in the CAC with the top six teams advancing to the 2008 CAC Field Hockey Championship. Just half-a-game seperates the team from Wesley and York (Pa.) who are currently tied for fifth place. Only two of the three teams will advance to the conference tournament.