HENNIKER, N.H. – After trailing 3-2 at halftime, the New England College field hockey team battled back to defeat Bridgewater State University, 4-3, Friday afternoon at Don Melander Field to earn its first win of the season and first home victory of the year.
NEC got on the board first, earning a penalty corner that was inserted by sophomore Mary Kelley (Cumberland, R.I.). Just 23 seconds later, Kelley connected with senior Kylee Henriquez (Methuen, Mass.) on the left side of the goal. Henriquez drew the BSU goalkeeper out and was able to tap the ball into the net for her first goal of the season, giving the 'Grims an early 1-0 lead.
Bridgewater State took control in the second period, recording seven shots and earning five penalty corners. The Bears tied the game before taking the lead nine and a half minutes into the period, with Ellie Moberg recording an assist and her first goal of the season.
With just under five minutes remaining in the half, Henriquez and senior Kacey McClay (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) broke away on a two-on-three rush after beating the goalkeeper. Henriquez got a shot off, drawing a penalty and giving junior Kennedy Overhoff (Whitefield, N.H.) an opportunity to tie the game on a penalty stroke. Overhoff lifted the ball just enough to place it in the left-middle of the net, evening the score at 2-2.
The Bears would regain the lead less than a minute later, taking a 3-2 advantage into halftime.
At the start of the third period, senior Annie Raduazzo (Amherst, N.H.) replaced senior Amy Philbin (Long Island, N.Y.) in goal. Philbin faced nine shots and made four saves in the first half.
The 'Grims controlled the third period, recording four shots, including two from Overhoff. NEC broke through when Kelley scored her second goal of the season to tie the game at 3-3.
Bridgewater State came out quickly in the fourth period, earning a penalty corner that resulted in a shot from Abbie Zuber. Senior Kameryn Mazzulli (Waterford, Conn.) came up with a defensive save to keep the game tied.
On the other end of the field, Mazzulli helped create the go-ahead goal, finding senior Adelaide Kelly (Rockport, Maine), who scored with 11 minutes remaining to give NEC its first lead since the opening period.
The Bears did not back down, recording seven shots over the final 11 and a half minutes. Raduazzo turned away six of those attempts, finishing the game with seven saves to preserve the 'Grims' 4-3 victory.
The 'Grims return to the road Monday, Sept. 14, when they travel to UMass Boston. The Beacons are in their first season of competition. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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