2006 NEWMAC FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT - Lyons knock off MIT, 4-1 for first tournament victory since 1997

October 29, 2006

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College field hockey team set the program wins record by knocking off Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 4-1 on Sunday at Clark Field in the first round of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament. The third-seeded Lyons, now 14-6, corralled their first league tournament win since 1997 and move on to face number two Springfield College in the semifinals next Saturday at Wellesley College. Sixth-seeded MIT ended its season at 6-11.

The Lyons gained vengeance for a 3-2 loss in their regular season finale on Tuesday in Cambridge. Junior Sara Dimick (Cumberland, ME/Greely) put the hosts on the board after just 2:45, as she carried into the circle and sent a shot past junior keeper Alexa Herman (Suffern, NY/Suffern), who missed a kick save.

The Lyons capped a first half in which they held advantages of 10-1 in shots and 15-2 in penalty corners when sophomore Alisa Ardito (Branford, CT/Branford) scored with 20 minutes remaining after collecting a rebound of Dimick's saved shot. Wheaton had opportunities to increase its margin, but MIT sophomore midfielder Katie Boothe (Landenberg, PA/Archmere Academy) notched three defensive saves in the final 16:45.

Freshman Alex Block (Saratoga, CA/Saratoga) gave the hosts a three-goal lead 2:37 after halftime, as she tipped in senior Shea Clarke's (Bellingham, MA/Bellingham) blast from just inside the circle. Clarke notched her 20th career assist, moving alone into first place in program history. Sophomore Lauren Henderson (Marblehead, MA/Newman School) completed Wheaton's scoring with 15:30 left off a scramble in front of Herman.

MIT controlled the second half on paper, holding a 10-4 advantage in shots and 8-1 edge in corners, but was held scoreless until senior Amanda Hunter (Cornwall, CT/Choate Rosemary Hall) converted freshman Nirupama Yeechoor's (Sylvania, OH/Maumee Valley Country Day School) pass with 51 seconds to play.

Senior keeper Mary Catherine Boll (Columbus, IN/Miss Porter's School) made seven saves for the Lyons, while Boothe recorded four defensive saves in aid of Herman's four-save effort. Wheaton outshot MIT, 14-11 on the afternoon and held a 16-10 edge in corners.

2006 NEWMAC FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
Wheaton 4, MIT 1

SCORING 1st 2nd Final
MIT (6-11) 0 1 1
Wheaton (14-6) 2 2 4

1st Half: WC- Sara Dimick (unassisted) 2:45, Alisa Ardito (unassisted) 14:43

2nd Half: WC- Alex Block (Shea Clarke) 37:37, Lauren Henderson (unassisted) 54:30; MIT- Amanda Hunter (Nirupama Yeechoor) 69:09

Goalie Saves: WC- Mary Catherine Boll 7; MIT- Alexa Herman 4

Shots: WC- 14; MIT- 11

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 2/15/07.
Questions about this page? Use our query form.

News Headlines

[an error occurred while processing this directive]