Late Goal by Margiotta Propels Field Hockey to NCAA Final
Box Score
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Nov. 22, 2013) - A goal by sophomore forward
Keliann Margiotta (Sewell, N.J.) with 5:45 left in regulation was enough to send the third-ranked LIU Post field hockey team to the NCAA Division II National Championship, as it defeated Merrimack, 1-0, in a semifinal match-up Friday at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex and National Training Center in Virginia Beach, Va.
The Pioneers (21-0) now advance to the Championship game at Old Dominion University on Sunday at 1:15 p.m. They will face top-ranked Shippensburg, the winner of the South semifinal tilt.
Merrimack (14-6) dominated the first half, holding a 3-1 advantage in shots and a 4-1 penalty corner clip. Neither team managed to make their way on the scoreboard as the half ended scoreless.
And then the tides turned.
The green and gold rattled off nine shots in the second half, with the eighth coming off the stick of Margiotta. After taking possession, freshman midfielder
Steph Mocerino (Andover, N.J.) and Margiotta hooked up for the game's only goal at 64:15. While on the right side of the cage, Mocerino crossed the ball to Margiotta on the left flank who sent home her team-leading eighth game-winning goal of the season.
Merrimack had some opportunities following the goal after being granted two penalty corners in the 66th and 67th minutes. The Warriors' Katie Bishop had a shot blocked at 65:58, and Abbey Stacey followed with a shot off the rebound three seconds later that the Pioneers' goalkeeper
Meredith Stocklin (Mount Laurel, N.J.) made a diving save to retain the shutout. Just 27 seconds later, Merrimack took another corner, but the LIU Post defense responded quickly and did not allow a shot to be taken.
With approximately two minutes left, the Pioneers went into containment mode. This sent junior forward
Lyn-Marie Wilson (Bridgetown, Barbados) into the corner of the field with the ball to kill the clock with stick work. She held possession until the final 40 seconds, but by that time, Merrimack was too far from the goal to score.
Stocklin picked up her 14th win in net, making five saves in the effort. Her counterpart, Madison Davis, turned aside three shots in the loss.
Overall, the two squads managed to take 10 shots apiece, while the Warriors held a 10-4 penalty corner advantage.
The Pioneers advance to the NCAA Championship that will take place Sunday at 1:15 p.m. at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. They will face Shippensburg, which knocked off Millersville by a score of 3-1 in the other semifinal.