By Ron Egan
To truly get a feel of any team’s character, see how it responds after a loss. Simply put, the best teams rebound after losses, lesser teams fold. Following a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat at the hands of No. 17 University of Delaware Blue Hens the Pride field hockey team did not fold, and cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Towson University Tigers.
“We were able to keep our heads under extreme pressure,” senior captain Sara Gonzalez said. “Pressure not only from the other team, but also the refs and the entire situation we were put into. Being able to stay collected as a team really helped us to pull through.”
Gonzalez helped lead the Pride defense to yet another strong performance, the fourth time in five contests in which the Pride has allowed one goal or less. The defensive squad was without one of its senior leaders, as Katie Geissler was forced out of action this week with a stress fracture in her back. The Pride bench stepped up with Geissler sidelined, as red-shirt freshman Shannon Alexander stepped into the void and played well in the backfield.
The Pride controlled play from the opening whistle, displaying its ability to spread the ball around the field with ease.
With much of the play on the Tiger end of the field, the Pride offensive unit pressured Tiger goalkeeper Christina Armer early and often. The scoring started shortly before the end of the half, as the Pride was finally able to convert on a penalty corner and take the lead.
Sophomore Kara McEneaney fired a shot past Armer, into the back of the cage, giving the Pride the 1-0 lead and McEneaney her seventh goal of the season. Assisting on the play was Gonzalez and sophomore Sekayi Liburdt. The Pride squandered a few chances in the closing minutes of the first half and went into the break with a 1-0 edge. After controlling much of the half, the 1-0 halftime score was not reflective of the domination the Pride showed over the Tigers.
The Pride held the edge on penalty corners for the half, 3-2, and the Tigers, although outplayed, held the advantage on shots 6-4. Pride goalkeeper Jessica Cowperthwait made two saves in the half, while her counterpart Armer tallied one.
The second half was similar to the first for the Pride, although it started to convert on the chances it was given. Just 2:30 into the second half, it was Alexander scoring her first career goal off a pass from red shirt freshman Pemba Ramdoo, giving the Pride a 2-0 lead.
Less then a minute later, senior Alexandra Alonge scored her seventh goal of the season, beating Armer to give the Pride a commanding 3-0 lead. The goal gives Alonge 15 goals for her career, the most career goals of any current Pride player.
Doni-Melissa Jantzen, the Pride’s leading scorer, tacked on her tenth goal of the season less then five minutes after Alonge’s, putting the Pride up 4-0. Assisting on the play was Alonge, who used a well-struck pass to feed a wide-open Jantzen. With that, the Tigers removed Armer for the cage, replacing her with Michelle Cheek. Armer allowed four goals for the contest before her departure.
The Tigers finally got on the board at the 44:31 mark, as senior Julie Lambi scored her tenth goal of the season off a pass from teammate Ashley Bacon. Lambi’s goal would end the scoring for the night, but not the action.
Throughout the game, the officials held little control over play, allowing the Tigers’ physical play to get out of control, especially as the team grew frustrated at the lopsided scoreboard. Pride coach Kathy DeAngelis expressed her distaste for the officiating on multiple occasions during the game and was eventually given a red card and ejected. According to Colonial Athletic Association rules, DeAngelis will not be allowed to coach in the regular season finale on Sunday against Drexel University. Assistant coach Wendy Brady-Andreatta took over for DeAngelis with 18:46 remaining.
The Pride earned its second CAA win of the season with the 4-1 victory at Towson, improving its’ overall record to 11-7. The Tigers dropped to 6-12 on the season, (0-6 CAA).
In order for the Pride to now qualify for the CAA Tournament, the team must win on Sunday against Drexel University. The team must also hope that James Madison University drops its’ season finale at Virginia Commonwealth University. A Pride win, coupled with a James Madison loss against Virginia Commonwealth, would guarantee the Pride the fourth and final spot in the CAA Tournament.

Sophomore Kara McEneaney leads the Pride field hockey team in points this year with seven goals and seven assists totaling 21 points. (Staff Photo)