BABSON PARK, MA- The Wheaton College field hockey team's late
comeback against Babson College fell short on Tuesday evening, as
the Lyons dropped a 3-2 decision in New England Women's and Men's
Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on MacDowell Field. The Lyons
slipped to 5-8 overall and 1-3 in the league, while Babson improved
to 9-4 and 4-1.
Senior keeper Andrea Bagley (Foxboro,
MA/Foxboro) made seven saves for the Lyons, while
classmates and captains Cassie Abel (Windham,
NH/Salem) and Alex Block (Saratoga,
CA/Saratoga) each scored in the final 3:32 to help erase a
3-0 deficit. The Lyons held an 8-2 advantage in penalty corners but
were outshot, 16-7.
Babson received a goal and an assist apiece from junior
Colleen Kelly (Milton, MA/Notre Dame Academy) and
sophomore Courtney Weaving (New Preston, CT/Shepaug
Valley), while junior Sarah Fredlund (New Preston,
CT/Shepaug Valley) also scored. Sophomore Jessica
Pashos (Winchester, MA/Winchester) made three saves.
Late in regulation, the Lyons broke on the board after Block's
penalty-corner entry pass found Abel, whose blast made it 3-1 with
3:32 to go. It was the first goal of the defender's career. Just
1:50 later, the two teamed up again, as Abel's push toward net off
a corner feed was tipped home by Block. A late Wheaton rush up the
left side was denied, and Babson held on.
The Beavers controlled the offensive end during the opening
period, taking the first eight shots of the game, but Bagley made
four stops and was helped by a defensive save. Senior back
Rachel Alfiero (Cape Elizabeth, ME/Cape Elizabeth)
denied a Beaver player in the 17th minute, and after a 29th-minute
shot was turned away by Bagley, a follow-up try hit the post.
During the second stanza, the hosts broke out for the go-ahead
marker after just 22 seconds, with Weaving converting a Kelly feed.
Kelly later scored in the 47th minute before Fredlund tipped home a
Weaving shot at 55:20. However, Wheaton took the final five penalty
corners of the game during the last 11 minutes while firing off
five of the last six shots.
The Lyons head to Clark University on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m.
NEWMAC contest.
