Field Hockey Drops 2-1 Heartbreaker To Western Connecticut

Worcester, MA --- Western Connecticut junior Kristy Matasavage (Middlebury, CT) netted the game winning goal 4:11 into the second overtime to edge the Colonials over Worcester State, 2-1, this evening in Little East Conference field hockey action at Coughlin Field.

With the victory, West Conn improved to 7-5 (4-2 LEC) on the campaign, while the Lancers fell to 7-5 and 3-3 in the LEC.

The Blue and Gold had numerous chances to end the game in regulation as well as overtime.

Their best opportunity came with 3:22 remaining in the second half when they were awarded a penalty stroke after a shot by junior Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) rang the right post and the carom hit a defenders foot. However, senior Kelli McPherson's (Mansfield, MA) attempt sailed to the left of the cage to keep the game knotted at 1-1 heading into the first extra session.

With seven on seven, the Lancers continued to apply pressure, outshooting their opponents 5-0 in the first overtime stanza.

O'Rourke had the best chance for the Blue and Gold when she slipped past the Colonial defenders to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper four minutes into the frame. She then made a move past Colonial sophomore goalie Kristy Trotta (Danbury, CT) and appeared to have an empty netter, but her chance was denied on a game-saving defensive stop by junior Jenny Cappello (Litchfield, CT) to keep the score right where it was.

With the momentum on their side, Western Connecticut used a pair of corners to open the second extra frame.

Junior Megan Ripke (Southwick, MA) turned in an excellent defensive effort by rejecting a clean attempt on the left side of the net by Cappello, at the 87:52 mark after the first corner before Matasavage ended the game following the second whistle by the officials in the striking circle.

Matasavage found room in front of the net and sent home a sophomore Brianna Reda (New Milford, CT) feed past WSU freshman keeper Kathryn Salemme (Boxboro, MA) to send the Colonials home victorious.

With 1:43 remaining in the first half, Western Connecticut broke open the scoring with a goal from freshman Greta McConnell (Norwalk, CT) who followed her own rebound and fired a shot past Salemme to notch her first collegiate goal.

The Lancers evened the score with 40:16 off the clock on junior Krissy Kenney's (Rehoboth, MA) fifth goal of the season. Kenney intercepted a pass to the right of the net into the left corner of the cage.

Worcester State outshot Western Connecticut 20-9 (12-6 on goal) while the visiting Colonials held a slight 9-6 advantage in penalty corners with six alone in the second period.

Trotta stopped 11 shots in the victory to improve her overall record to 6-5. Salemme collected four saves in the defeat and fell to 7-5 on the season.

Both squads find themselves on the road this Saturday in upcoming Little East Conference action. Worcester State visits Keene State with a 1:30 start time as Western Connecticut travels to Bridgewater State in a 3:30 PM matchup.

Story Written By Sports Information Intern – Michael Corso '12

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