Field Hockey Qualifies For Post-Season With Dramatic Win Over Becker

Field Hockey Qualifies For Post-Season With Dramatic Win Over Becker

Chicopee MA – The Elms College field hockey team defeated the visiting Becker College Hawks on Tuesday night 3-2. The win sends the Blazers into the postseason as the sixth and final seed.

The Blazers we're in control early in a high scoring first quarter. Madison Gabel (Agawam, MA) got Elms on the board 3:33 into the game on an assist from Carissa Ramirez (San Diego, CA) for a 1-0 lead. Ramirez doubled the lead at 8:53 when she ripped a shot past the Hawks goalie, which put the Blazers ahead 2-0.

The Hawks responded quickly getting their first goal of the game, cutting the deficit in half at the 12:01 mark.

The Blazers took the 2-1 lead into halftime, but a Hawks goal just three minutes into the second half tied the game at 2-2.

The next 25 minutes would be tension filled as both teams looking to qualify for the playoffs and extend their season. There would be action at both ends, but neither side could find the go-ahead-goal. It would be fitting that the turning point in the game would come down to a combination play by two Elms seniors.  

With under two minutes remaining and the final playoff spot hanging in the balance, Ramirez would find herself with the ball on her stick and acers of space. She would carry the ball deep into Hawks territory and find a hustling teammate joining the rush, it was fellow senior Gable. Ramirez would hit a perfect pass and Gable would finish it off, sending her shot into the back of the Becker cage and the Blazers in to the playoffs.

Gable and Ramirez would be involved in all three Blazer goals and combine for eight points in the game. Nora Newman (Woburn, MA) would have five saves on the day.

The Blazers will travel to Husson University on Saturday 11/2 time TBD for a first round playoff game. Elms fell to the Eagles 3-1 in the regular season in a very tight game.