Field Hockey Clips Wheelock In Overtime

Mickey Howe, Sports Information Intern

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College field hockey team won an exciting game against New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) opponent Wheelock, 4-3, in overtime at Leary Field Saturday afternoon.  The Blazers are now 4-10 on the season, and 3-0 in the conference, while  Wheelock falls to 2-9 on the season and 1-1 in the conference.

Prior to the contest, the Blazers honored their lone departing senior, Alyssa Falvo (Wilbraham, Mass.).

Elms junior forward Madison Messier (Warren, Mass.) opened up the scoring just five minutes into the first half when she scored off of a nice assist from freshman midfielder Evelyn DeVaux (Wethersfield, Conn.).  Both teams played very strong defense in the first half.  Both teams had a couple scoring chances in the first half, but Messier was the only one to find the back of the net.

The second half was a much different story however.  Wheelock forward Melanie Newberg (Raynham, Mass.) tied up the score when she put one past the goalie off an assist from Abbey Smith (New Boston, N.H.).  Wheelock would keep the pressure on the Blazers as  Sophomore forward Julia D'Onorfrio (Salem, N.H.) scored off of a rebound from a save by Blazers goalie Jillian Lapponese (Enfield, Conn.).  The putback by D'Onorfrio gave Wheelock a 2-1 lead, and her fourth goal of the season.

The Blazers would not waste anytime in getting that one back however.  Just three minutes later, sophomore midfielder Olivia Keane (Enfield, Conn.) scored her first goal of the year off of a tipped shot by DeVaux.  One minute later, Blazers junior forward Hayley Omahen (San Diego, Cali.) scored her third goal of the season to give the Blazers the lead back.  Wheelock would answer right back as D'Onorfrio registered her second of the game when her shot slipped past a few defenders and found the back of the net.  The score was knotted at 3-3 by the end of regulation.

In overtime, Messier would play hero when she came off the sidelines as a sub, grabbed a loose ball at midfield, and got one past the goalie for the game-winner.  It was Messier's second goal of the game, and eighth of the season.

Wheelock outshot the Blazers 16-11.  Jillian Lapponese made 11 saves for the Blazers.  Wheelock goalie Alicia Hubbard (Chicago, Illinois) had 3 saves on the day.

The Blazers return to the field Thursday when they are on the road against Mount Ida in a non-conference game.  Wheelock plays Becker College at home in an NECC match on Tuesday.  

ELMS FIELD HOCKEY