2006 NEWMAC FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT - Wheaton succumbs to nationally-ranked Springfield, 4-1 in semifinals

November 4, 2006

WELLESLEY, MA- The third-seeded Wheaton College field hockey team fell to nationally-ranked and second seed Springfield College, 4-1 in Saturday afternoon's New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament semifinal round game at Wellesley College.

Competing in their first conference tournament semifinal since the 1997 season, the Lyons fall to 14-7 with the loss and will now await a possible berth into the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament. Wheaton last competed in an ECAC Tournament in 1995.

The Pride, which entered today's game ranked 17th in the country according to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA), raised its season mark to 16-5. Springfield looks to defend its title tomorrow afternoon at host Wellesley at 1:00 p.m.

Springfield junior Brittany Veazie (Dexter, ME/Dexter Regional) had a hand in all four of the Pride goals, recording three tallies and one assist to lead the higher seed to a 2-0 halftime advantage. Veazie netted the first goal off an assist from sophomore Allie Eisele (Walton, NY/Walton Central) with 13:49 to play. Springfield later had a chance to double its lead on a penalty stroke, but Wheaton senior keeper Mary Catherine Boll (Columbus, IN/Miss Porter's School) thwarted the attempt to keep the Lyons within striking distance. With 2:51 to play, the Pride extended its advantage as Veazie assisted sophomore Jane Kelleher (Chatham, MA/Harwich).

In the second half, Veazie pushed Springfield's lead to three goals with her fifth point midway through the frame. Wheaton senior Shea Clarke (Bellingham, MA/Bellingham) helped cut the Lyon deficit to two with a stroke with 14:38 remaining, but it proved to be too little too late, as Veazie completed the scoring in the 63rd minute.

Boll finished the game with 12 saves, while Pride juniors Emma Kaplan (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield) and Julia Kincade (Durham, NH/Oyster River) combined for four stops. Springfield held a decisive 28-10 shot advantage, while Wheaton edged the Pride, 8-7 in penalty corners.

2006 NEWMAC FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
Springfield 4, Wheaton 1

SCORING 1st 2nd Final
Wheaton (14-7) 0 1 1
Springfield (16-5) 2 2 4

1st Half: SC- Brittany Veazie (Allie Eisele) 21:11, Jane Kelleher (Veazie) 32:09

2nd Half: SC- Veazie (unassisted) 53:40; WC- Shea Clarke (penalty stroke) 55:22; SC- Veazie (unassisted) 62:20

Goalie Saves: WC- Mary Catherine Boll 12; SC- Emma Kaplan (35:00) 0, Julia Kincade (35:00) 4

Shots: WC- 10; SC- 28

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