Gulls Notch Four Goals in Home Opener Victory Over Salem State

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott field hockey team hosted Salem State on Thursday evening for a North Shore Cup matchup. Senior Emily Sawchuck (Cumberland, Maine) notched two of the Gulls four goals in the contest as they soared to a 4-1 victory. Endicott improves to 2-1 (0-0 CCC) on the season while the Vikings fall to 0-2 (0-0 MASCAC). With the victory the field hockey programs adds a tally in the win column for Endicott in the North Shore Cup annual competition between Endicott, Salem State and Gordon.

Endicott will see action next on Wednesday, September 10^th as they host non-conference rivals, UMass. Dartmouth for a 7:00 p.m. start. Salem State will play next Thursday as they travel to Salve Regina for a 7:00 p.m. matchup.

The first half was a battle but the Blue and Green was able edge the Vikings by outshooting them 8-5 while taking six penalty corners. 10 minutes into the half junior Ashleigh Allen (Glastonbury, Conn.) forced a foul in the circle to earn herself a penalty stroke. As she stepped up to the mark she pushed the ball low and deep to the goalkeeper, Carolyn Woodins' (Alrington, Mass.), right left side to take the early 1-0 lead.

The Gulls continued their offensive push throughout the half with strong efforts by junior Morgan Bresnahan (South Burlington, Vt.), who led with three shots, followed by seniors Alyssa Clark (Gorham, Maine), Sawchuck and Mackenzie Hurst (Gilford, N.H.). With seven minutes remaining in the first 35 minutes of play the Vikings tied up the game after sophomore Katie Pietrini (Beverly, Mass.) took the ball off goalkeeper, Checka Ventura (Lawrence, Mass.) and blasted it into the back into the net on the right post. The goal would be the last by either side in the first half to end at a 1-1 stalemate.

The second half showed a different flock of Gulls who were hungry for more ripping 23 shots in the half to Salem State's four while taking 12 penalty corners. After 20 minutes of scoreless activity by both sides the Blue and Green started a scoring streak started by Bresnahan who received a feed from Allen and tipped the ball to the left post to break the tie.

Two minutes later, the 2013 leading scorer, Sawchuck, was hungry for her first goal of the 2014 season as she took a low pass from Bresnahan on the left side and lifted the ball to the top corner to make it a two goal game.

Sawchuck was not finished, as she notched her second goal of the game 10 minute later. Allen started the play after she ripped a shot and forced Woodin to make the diving glove save, where Sawchuck was able to collect the rebound and lift to ball into the back of the net to make it a 4-1 game.

Salem State had a chance to make it a two goal game with five minutes to go as junior Taylor Nawn earned a penalty stroke for the Vikings. Junior goalkeeper Rose Bradley (Pottstown, Pa.) came in off the bench to take the shot and made a diving save to secure the 4-1 victory. Ventura and Bradley combined for four saves while Woodwin was kept busy and made an impressive 17.

The victory marked the second straight for the Gulls over Salem State defeating them for the first time in two seasons in 2013.