SPRINGFIELD, Mass. The American International College field hockey squad dropped a hard fought, 1-0, decision to Adelphi in Northeast-10 action this evening from Abdow Field.
Adelphi improves to 6-3 on the year and 3-1 in conference action while the Jackets fall to 2-8 overall and 1-4 in the NE-10.
The teams played back-and-forth action for the most part of the first-half as neither team penetrated deep into the circle to record shots on goal.
AIC had the best chance to score in the 32nd minute off a penalty corner by junior Shea Homer (Glens Falls, N.Y.) as her insert found senior Erica McLean (Branford, Conn.) and she dribbled to the top of the circle and let loose, but her bid was stuffed by the keeper's pads and the game remained scoreless.
Adelphi nearly broke the scoring drought in the 39th minute as they had three consecutive shots off a penalty corner that were turned aside by freshman net-minder Taylor Ross (Stroudsburg, Pa.) to keep the score 0-0.
Senior Molly Cuevas (San Jose, Calif.) had the initial shot that Ross kicked away, then junior Tina Brindisi (Wanaque, N.J.) and sophomore Elizabeth Mercuri (Chelmsford, Mass.) each had bids from point blank with ross on the ground, but the rookie would not break stuffing the chances.
The Jackets again nearly potted the first score off a penalty corner in the 45th minute as senior Katie Lombardozzi (Leominster, Mass.) let rip from the top of the circle that caught all pads of the goalie and the score remained 0-0.
The Panthers came right back after that as senior Kristen Bagley (Holbrook, N.Y.) ripped a backhanded shot from just inside the circle that found the back of the cage for the 1-0 edge in the 52nd minute.
AIC couldn't register much attack after that as Adelphi played strong defense until the final horn.
Ross stopped 8 shots in the defeat to fall to 1-5 on the year while Panther sophomore Amanda Gargiulo (Westbury, N.Y.) made 6 saves in the victory to improve to 6-3.
The visitors outshot the hosts 22-11 and also held the 12-9 edge in penalty corners.
AIC continues play next week as they travel to Pace for a 4 p.m. contest on Wednesday.
