Fast start propels Gulls past Seahawks, 6-2

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Endicott field hockey team scored four times in the opening period to defeat Salve Regina 6-2 during a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup at Gaudet Field on Saturday evening.

The Gulls improve to 5-2 overall and 2-0 during CCC play, while the Seahawks drop to 3-4 on the season and 0-2 in the conference with the loss.

Sophomore Emily Sawchuck (Cumberland, Maine) led all players with four points (1g, 2a) on the evening, while senior Hannah Thornberg (Oakland, Maine) collected a game-high two goals. In addition, senior Taylor Matties (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), junior Stacie Teevens (Westborough, Mass.), and senior Melissa Enright (York Beach, Maine) each scored for the Gulls. Senior goalkeeper Taylor Teixeira (Exter, N.H.) earned the victory in net, making four saves to improve to 5-2 on the year.

The Seahawks received goals from senior Kelly Burke (Georgetown, Mass.) and freshmanAbigail Tepper (Foxboro, Mass.), while junior Heather Kapatoes (Hopedale, Mass.) added an assist. Sophomore goalkeeper Murphy McCann (Westerly, R.I.) was busy in net, making 10 saves in the loss.

The Gulls got things going early as Sawchuck set up Enright for the openig goal just 1:45 into the contest to give Endicott a 1-0 lead.

Endicott extended its lead with unassisted markers by Matties and Teevens just over two minutes apart to give the Gulls a 3-0 cushion.

Sawchuck added another goal for Endicott before the first half came to a close, giving the Gulls a 4-0 edge after one period of play.

The Seahawks came out of the break and immediately chipped-away at the Endicott lead, as Burke took a feed from Kapatoes off a corner and found the back of the box to bring Salve Regina back within three at 4-1.

However, Thornberg scored consecutive goals 10 minutes apart from each other to give the Gulls some insurance, putting the visitors on top, 6-1.

Tepper added an unassisted marker in the 60th minute, but it wasn't enough, as the Gulls held on for the 6-2 victory.

Both teams will be back in action next Tuesday, with the Gulls traveling to face Saint Joseph's (Maine) at 3:30 p.m., and the Seahawks hosting Daniel Webster at 7 p.m.