HENNIKER, N.H. – New England College Field Hockey opened Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on Saturday afternoon, hosting Simmons University and securing a 3-0 victory.
The opening period was a defensive battle between the two teams. NEC controlled possession early, recording three shots before Simmons gained momentum later in the period and registered four shots of its own.
The Pilgrims regained control in the second period, firing five shots while holding Simmons without a shot.
Although NEC could not find the back of the cage in the second, the Pilgrims carried their momentum into the third period, breaking through just four minutes in. Senior Kylee Henriquez (Methuen, Mass.) opened the scoring with an assist from sophomore Mary Kelley (Cumberland, R.I.).
The Pilgrims continued applying pressure, registering four more attempts before senior Kacey McClay (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) doubled the lead with her sixth goal of the season, while senior Adelaide Kelly (Rockport, Maine) recorded the assist, giving NEC a 2-0 advantage.
Simmons responded with three shots, but senior goalkeeper Annie Raduazzo (Amherst, N.H.) stood strong in the cage, making six saves on six shots on goal throughout the contest to preserve the shutout.
With just under four minutes remaining in the third period, freshman Molly Goodwin (Guilford, Maine) scored her first collegiate goal, assisted by Henriquez, extending the Pilgrims' lead to 3-0.
The 'Grims dominated the fourth period, recording 10 shots, including five from junior Kennedy Overhoff (Whitefield, N.H.). Overhoff recorded two additional attempts in the final two seconds of play.
New England College returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 23, traveling to Lasell University for a 5 p.m. conference match up.
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