Field Hockey Drops Season Opener To No. 7 Babson, 4-3

BEVERLY, Mass. — The Endicott field hockey team fell to No. 7 nationally ranked Babson, 4-3, in Friday evening's season opener at North Field.

The visiting Beavers got on the board first in the contest with just over five minutes left before the end of the first quarter, but Maddy Dengler (Winchester, Mass.) tied it up at one apiece with two seconds remaining. The senior was able to get past several Babson defenders as she got to the end line and was able to slot one home heading to the second quarter.

Babson dominated the next 15 minutes of play, outshooting Endicott, 7-0, along with holding a 5-0 penalty corner advantage. The Gulls' defense remained tough, allowing just one goal, while Faith Minickene (Madison, Conn.) made three of her six saves to keep it a one-goal contest heading to halftime.

Another Babson goal early in the third quarter pushed the visitors' advantage to two, but less than two minutes later, Tori Swanson (Farmington, Conn.) deflected a Lily Farnham (Andover, Mass.) shot into the goal to cut the deficit to one.

Following a Gulls foul in the circle, Babson pushed its lead to two again in the third quarter, but the Blue and Green kept fighting, as this time, Abby Antonelli (Worcester, Mass.) fired home a goal following an insert pass from Reagan Hicks (Barnstable, Mass.). The goal was the senior's first in over a year after missing all of last season with an injury, and again slashed the lead to one going to the fourth quarter.

Over the final 15 minutes, the Gulls had numerous opportunities to tie the game, but were unable to push one past the Beavers' goalie as No. 7 Babson headed home with a 4-3 victory.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Beavers now hold a 13-4 advantage in the all-time series.
• Swanson's goal was her 62nd career goal, and moves her within one of tying the all-time record.
• 10th career game with six or more saves for Minickene.
• Adie Bolduc (Weare, N.H.), Kate Harris (Andover, Mass.), and Lily Johnson (Paxton, Mass.) all started their first career games for the Gulls.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (0-1) travels to No. 19 MIT for a 6 PM contest on Wednesday, September 3. No. 7 Babson (1-0) hosts No. 22 Swarthmore on Sunday, August 31 at 12 PM.

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(Photo Credit - Jonah Bean '27)