HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College Women's Field Hockey team cruised past Lasell University in the quarterfinals of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tournament on Saturday, earning a spot in the GNAC semifinals for a third straight season.
The first quarter was tight between the two teams. Senior Cristina Manzi (Peapack, N.J.) was able to fire of the first shot of the game 37 seconds into the game which was saved by Lasell. Halfway through the first Lasell, was unable to capitalize due to a shot outside of the circle. The 'Grims were able to gain momentum afterwards and take multiple shots on goal. One of them being from sophomore Kennedy Overhoff (Whitefield, N.H.) which was saved again by the Lasell goalie McKenna Ecker but opened a spot for Manzi to find the back of net to get the 'Grims on the board 1-0 to round out the first quarter.
The 'Grims came out firing to start the second quarter, with a shot by Junior Adelaide Kelly (Rockport, Maine) and then another shot by sophomore Kira Geddes (Bow, N.H.) which was just wide. Kelly had another shot at the 21st minute which was also wide of the goal. Following a failed penalty corner by the Lasers, NEC was able to regain possession and Kelly taken a penalty corner for the 'Grims. Kelly, who passed the ball to Overhoff, then found senior Martina Hill (Abbot, Maine) right in front of the goal, tipping the ball into the goal, making the score 2-0 and recording her fourth goal of the season. To finish the second quarter, Kelly had a shot which was saved by Ecker.
NEC started the third quarter with a shot by junior Kacey McClay (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) in the 36th minute. The Lasers came out looking to get points on the board. Megan Crabtree took five penalty corners in four minutes for Lasell during the third quarter but was unsuccessful and kept the score 2-0 headed into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter started with a penalty corner 57 seconds into the final quarter taken by McClay, who was able to find Hill and get a shot off but was just wide right to the goal. The two teams exchanged possessions going up and down the field. Until McClay took another corner for the team and Manzi was unable to find the net on two shots both saved by Ecker. After two cards given to the Lasers, Manzi scored unassisted with just three minutes left making the game 3-0. The Lasers had a last second chance with a penalty corner but were unable to score.
With the victory, the team now moves on to the semifinals hosted by Dean College on Wednesday, November 5th at 2:00 PM.
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