Westfield State Sinks Field Hockey In Overtime

Mickey Howe, Sports Information Intern

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms college field hockey team lost a tough OT game to visiting non-conference opponent Westfield State, 2-1, at Leary Field Wednesday afternoon.  The Blazers fall to a record of 2-9, while Westfield State holds a record of 5-5.  

Both teams played great defense throughout the first half.  The game remained scoreless until Westfield State sophomore Cora Rogers (Milford N.H.), put one in the back of the net in the 26th minute of the first half. Westfield possessed the ball for the majority of the first half, but was kept out of the net by goalie Jillian Lapponese (Enfield, CT), who made 11 saves.

The score was kept 1-1 for the rest of the first half, and a majority of the second half.  The Owls had a chance to increase their lead early in the second half, but Lapponese denied a penalty stroke attempt from senior Rachel Bunce (East Dennis, Mass.) to keep the deficit at 1-0. That was until junior forward Hayley Omahen, (San Diego, Cali.) scored off a tip by Evelyn Devaux, (Wethersfield, CT), to knot the score at 1-1 with 14 minutes left.  The Blazers kept the pressure on for the rest of the second half, but could not find the back of the net.  Both teams had their chances in the second half, but neither team could capitalize.  The game remained 1-1 at the end of regulation.

To start overtime, both the Blazers and Owls had scoring chances. OT play was back and forth until Bunce got the ball past Lapponese to give the Owls a 2-1 victory.

Westfield State outshot the Blazers 24-5.  Westfield goalie Katie Vamosie (Easton, Mass) did not record a save in the win.

The Blazers look to get back in the win column on Saturday, when they face Becker at home in an NECC game.  Westfield takes the field again Saturday, when they are home against UMASS Dartmouth.

ELMS FIELD HOCKEY