KEENE, N.H. – The New England College field hockey team opened its 2026 campaign non-conference battle against Keene State College on Friday afternoon, ultimately falling to the Owls, 3-2.
Keene State controlled possession for much of the opening period, registering five shots, two of which were saved by senior Annie Raduazzo (Amherst, N.H.) in her first action of the season. Just seconds after Raduazzo's second save, Keene State's Henley Gilstrap found the back of the cage to give the Owls an early 1-0 lead.
With just under a minute remaining in the opening period, the Pilgrims answered as senior Adelaide Kelly (Rockport, Maine) scored her first goal of the season to even the game at 1-1. The goal came on NEC's lone shot of the period.
The second period remained quiet offensively, with the two teams combining for just three shots. Raduazzo continued to keep the Pilgrims within striking distance, adding to her save total.
Keene State came out firing after halftime, peppering the NEC goal with eight shots in the first seven minutes of the third period. With just under eight minutes remaining in the period, Gilstrap found the back of the cage for the second time, putting the Owls back in front, 2-1.
Gilstrap completed the hat trick just six minutes into the final period, extending Keene State's lead to 3-1. The Pilgrims continued to battle, however, outshooting the Owls, 6-5, in the final period.
With under three minutes remaining, senior Kacey McClay (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) found the cage to bring NEC within one. The Pilgrims continued to pressure the Owls late, earning two penalty corners taken by sophomore Mary Kelley (Cumberland, R.I.), but neither opportunity found the back of the cage as NEC ultimately fell to Keene State, 3-2.
NEC returns to the road on Tuesday, September 8, when the Pilgrims travel to Worcester, Mass., to take on Clark University.
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