Blazers Score First But Fall At Westfield State

WESTFIELD, Mass. -- The Elms College field hockey team grabbed an early lead but eventually fell 3-1 at Westfield State in non-conference action on Thursday evening.

Emily Huber (Jefferson, Maine) scored her first goal of the season to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute, and Elms held that advantage for most of the first half. The Owls, however, earned a penalty corner in the final moments of the first half and took advantage when Cheryl Latona (Granby, Conn.) scored the equalizer after the first half clock expired to even the score at the break.

The Owls (5-7) maintained the momentum in the second half as Allie Giguere (Lynn, Mass.) registered the go-ahead goal less than five minutes into the second half.

The Blazers kept pressure on, earning four penalty corners in the next five minutes and a total of eight more throughout the game. But Westfield State added an insurance goal when Carly Zona (Auburn, Mass.) converted a penalty stroke in the 60th minute.

The Blazers out-shot the Owls 17-13 in the game and held a 13-10 advantage in shots on-goal. Elms (3-9) also held a 12-4 advantage in penalty corners.

Madison Messier (Warren, Mass.) led all players with five shots, including three on frame. Blazer goalkeeper Jillian Lapponese (Enfield, Conn.) had six saves in the game while counterpart Riley Goulet (Marion, Mass.) made 10 saves for the Owls.

Elms will return to play on Oct. 6, hostin UMaine-Farmington at Leary Field at 3:00 p.m. Westfield State will also be in action on Saturday, visiting Bridgewater State.