Late Offensive Push Not Enough, As Gulls Fall To The Nor’easters

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott field hockey team hosted conference rival University of New England on Saturday for a homecoming matchup on North Field. Juniors Elizabeth LeClair (Wilton, Maine) and Meghan Leary (Hampton Falls, N.H.) each recorded a goal, while Leary tallied her first on the season. Despite their efforts the Gulls fell to the Nor'easters 5-2. Endicott now stands at 6-6, (2-3 CCC) while their opponents move to 5-5, (5-0 CCC).

The first half was a battle through the midfield for both ends but the Nor'easters were able to move the ball up the field and take 13 shots, where the Gulls were held to three. UNE was strong in the circle and forced seven offensive corners in the frame. About halfway through the frame the Nor'easters tallied their first goal of the afternoon after freshman Brooke Marshall (Bow, N.H.) controlled a nice feed from senior Hannah Tavella (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) to slip it past senior goalkeeper Lizetta Solarik (Carmel, N.Y.).

The Nor'easters came out firing in the second leading in shots 19-5. The half consisted of a lot of quick and answered goals from both ends.

 In the opening minutes junior Beth Sullivan (Cumberland, R.I.) blasted a shot from the top of the circle off a stick stop from senior Hayley LaPionte (Topsham, Maine) who controlled the insert from Tavella to find the back of the net to take the 2-0 lead.

Only minutes passed by until the Nor'easters were able to nab another tally when Tavella received a pass from teammate, senior Casey Clark (Franconia, N.H.) and snuck it by the defense to increase the lead to 3. The goal must have lit a fire under the Gulls because LeClair answered back minutes later after junior Emily Sawchuck (Cumberland, Maine) dribbled around two defenders from the top of the circle to find Senior Stacie Teevens (Westborough, Mass.) on the right side who blasted it towards net and LeClair was able to get a stick on it to get the Gulls on the board.

Six minutes later Tavella tallied her second goal of the game after she controlled a rebound off Solarik and slipped it in off the left post to increase the lead back to three. Solarik made eight saves in ten minutes before sophomore Haley Pelletier (Rome, Maine) tallied her first goal on the season after she blasted the ball from about five yards out to find the back of the net off the left post.

Three minutes later Leary answered back after she scored her first goal on the season off a corner play when she ripped a shot from 10 yards out to find the backboard after she received a pass from Sawchuck who sent the ball across cage to find Leary wide open.

Despite the efforts the Gulls could not continue to consistently create offensive opportunities. The spurts they had resulted in tallies and dangerous play. Senior co-captain Emily O'Halloran (Cheshire, Conn.) was again a vital part of the defensive unit, where she controlled the line and recorded a defensive save.

The Gulls will take the week off to re-energize and pick back up on October 12^th when they head to Springfield, Mass. to face CCC opponent Western New England at 1:00 p.m. The Nor'easters will host Gordon on Tuesday, October 8^th for a 7:00 p.m. start on the Big Blue Turf.