Field Hockey Earns Playoff Spot With Win Over Bay Path On Senior Day

Field Hockey Earns Playoff Spot With Win Over Bay Path On Senior Day

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College field hockey squad punched their postseason ticket with a 2-0 victory over visiting Bay Path University in a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) matchup at Leary Field Saturday afternoon. The Blazers improve to 5-15 on the year, and 5-5 in conference play, while the Wildcats wrap their season with at 4-10 overall, and 3-7 in the NECC.

Prior to the contest, Elms honored their departing seniors, Abby McNulty (Bedford, Mass.), Colleen Carbonneau (Manchester, N.H.), Haleigh Varieur (Winchendon, Mass.), and Samantha Alvino (Holtsville, N.Y.).

The Blazers cracked the scoreboard in the 26th minute on a penalty corner. Freshman Michaela Falk (Southington, Conn.) played the corner to the top of the circle where freshman Madison Messier (Warren, R.I.) ripped a shot past Bay Path senior goalkeeper Anna Meyer (Milbrook, N.Y.) to stake Elms to 1-0 advantage with 9:58 remaining in the period.

As the final seconds expired in the first half, the Blazers earned another penalty corner. On the attempt, junior Stephanie Esposito (Orange, Conn.) knocked a loose ball towards the net, where junior Marie Lafortune (Southwick, Mass.) dished the ball to Carbonneau, who tucked a shot behind Meyer, pushing the Blazers advantage to 2-0. 

"It feels amazing to get the win and earn our spot in the playoffs," said Elms College Head Coach Jennifer Ouellette. "It was for our seniors. They wanted the win and they pushed really hard for it. Colleen, a senior defender, scored a goal, so it was just an awesome day. The team brought a lot of excitement, energy and a positive attitude into the game today. We need to continue our hard work as we make this final push in the playoffs. We need to come off the bus really pumped and excited for a win."

The Blazers outshot the Wildcats, 9-6, during the contest. Alvino made four saves for Elms, while Meyer stopped five shots for Bay Path.

The Blazers will head on the road to play top-seeded Becker College in the NECC Semifinals Wednesday, November 4th in Leicester, Massachusetts. Bay Path concluded play for the 2015 season.

ELMS FIELD HOCKEY