HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College field hockey team improved their conference record to a still-perfect 6-0 after a dominating performance against Elms College on senior day on Saturday at the Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
Just 95 seconds into the game, senior Isabella Marzano (Warwick, R.I.), getting the start on senior day, got the Pilgrims on the board with her third goal of the season. She was assisted on the goal by fellow senior senior Cristina Manzi (Peapack, N.J.). Later in the first quarter, junior Kacey McClay (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) gave the 'Grims a 2-0 advantage with an unassisted score – her fifth of the season.
With 2:48 left in the second quarter, Manzi got a goal of her own on senior day for her fifth of the year. The Pilgrims prevented the Blazers from taking a single shot in the first half with a smothering defensive effort, taking a 3-0 lead into the break.
The offensive onslaught continued in the third quarter as junior Adelaide Kelly (Rockport, Maine) got in on the scoring with 5:40 to go. Less than three minutes later, McClay netted her second of the day. Just before the end of the quarter, a Manzi shot was saved by the Elms goalie, but the rebound was collected by freshman Madison Brown (Goffstown, N.H.) and deposited into the net for a 6-0 NEC lead.
Five minutes into the fourth, the team's leading scorer, sophomore Kira Geddes (Bow, N.H.), tallied her 13th goal of the season as she raced past a pair of defenders and the keeper to put the Pilgrims up by seven which would secure the dominant win.
It was a combined shutout effort in goal for NEC, with senior Makenzie Anderson (Antrim, N.H.) playing the first half, junior Amy Philbin (Long Island, N.Y.) in the third, and junior Annie Raduazzo (Amherst, N.H.) closing it out in the fourth.
Anderson was recognized as part of the team's pregame senior day ceremony, alongside Manzi, Marzano, senior Martina Hill (Abbot, Maine), and senior Tatum Golis (New Hartford, N.Y.).
After another conference win, the Pilgrims will play a non-conference matchup against the University of Maine-Farmington Beavers tomorrow, Sunday October 5th, with a 1:00 PM start.
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