HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College field hockey team earned its seventh Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory of the season, remaining unbeaten in conference play on Saturday evening. With the win, the Pilgrims improved to 7-0 in GNAC action and 10-3 overall.
The Lasers opened the first quarter with an early penalty corner, as Halleen Seguin launched a shot that was blocked by Pilgrims senior goalkeeper Makenzie Anderson (Antrim, N.H.). The Pilgrims quickly answered with a penalty corner of their own, with senior Tatum Golis (New Hartford, N.Y.) firing a shot that ricocheted off the post. Sophomore Kira Geddes (Bow, N.H.) followed up with another attempt, but Laser's goalkeeper McKenna Ecker came up with the save. Lasell managed one final shot in the opening quarter, but it sailed just wide as the teams ended the first quarter locked in a scoreless tie.
The Pilgrims opened the second quarter by applying offensive pressure, testing the Lasers defense. Geddes fired an early shot that narrowly missed the net. Junior Isabelle Toupin (Derry, N.H.) then delivered a penalty corner, setting up another attempt by Geddes, which was saved by Ecker. Golis found the rebound and looked to break the deadlock, but Ecker stood tall once again to deny the chance. Senior Cristina Manzi (Peapack, N.J.) followed with a shot of her own that was saved once again as the teams headed into halftime tied 0-0.
The 'Grims maintained their offensive momentum, consistently pressuring the Lasers' defense, but Ecker continued to come up with key saves for the visitors. In the 32nd minute, junior Kacey McClay (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) delivered a penalty corner to Geddes, who capitalized with a clean finish to put the Pilgrims on the board with a 1-0 lead. The 'Grims continued to apply pressure, as junior Adelaide Kelly (Rockport, Maine) connected with Geddes once again, who slipped the ball past Ecker to double the lead. The Pilgrims closed out the third quarter ahead, 2-0.
The Pilgrims kept up the pressure in the final quarter, with Geddes firing a shot that was stopped by Ecker. Moments later, Manzi fired a shot that narrowly missed the net, then followed up with another attempt that Ecker denied. The Lasers responded with a penalty corner, but the 'Grims defense stood strong and denied the opportunity. In the 56th minute, McClay found Manzi in front of the cage, as she buried the Pilgrims' third goal of the game. Geddes and Kelly each fired a shot in the final minute of action, but Ecker came up with back-to-back saves, as the Pilgrims secured the 3-0 victory.
Anderson finished the evening with one save while Ecker recorded 10 saves. Geddes finished the evening with two goals while McClay tallied two assists for the 'Grims. The Pilgrims held the shot advantage 18-3 with a 13-1 on target advantage.
The Pilgrims continue GNAC play as they travel to Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday to face Simmons University with a 5:00 PM start.
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