Blazers Beat Blue Jays in GNAC Showdown

Chicopee, MA – The Elms Blazers Field Hockey team picked up their fifth Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) win against the University of Saint Joseph's, 6-2 Wednesday evening on Leary Field.

THE BASICS

SCORE: USJ 2 | Elms 6

RECORDS: USJ (4-9-0, 3-6-0 GNAC) | Elms (6-8-0, 5-4-0 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

In the opening quarter, Halie Shea (Windsor Locks, CT) found the back of the net as a product of precise passing from Carissa Ramirez (San Diego, CA) and Melanie Ward (Wilbraham, MA). Ramirez would quickly turn around and add a goal of her own on a pass from Katie Jones (San Diego, CA) to put the home team up 2-0 heading into the second quarter.

USJ would cut the lead in half going into halftime by a goal from Alexa Kowalski.

The third quarter would see three goals in total, two from the Blazers and one from the Blue Jays. Ramirez scored once again on a pass from Ward and Jones would add to the lead on a penalty stroke to increase the Blazers lead to 4-1. USJ would tack on their final goal from Kowalski to make it 4-2 heading into the fourth.

Ramirez and Shea would each tally one more goal apiece to solidify the conference victory for the Blazers.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Ramirez led the Blazers with 11 shots

- Jones, Shea, Ward and Erin Thibodeau all saw multiple shots in the contest

- Nora Newman made three saves on the evening

FROM THE DESK OF COACH LAPAR:
"This was a good hard fought win. I am proud of the team for coming out strong and scoring two goals. We then had to adjust as USJ put pressure on with their first goal. When we started the second half our minds were moving straight, together, and in a positive motion. We were able to score two more goals which alleviated pressure until USJ scored again, but our forward motion didn't stop. We continued to adjust until we capitalized on a 6-2 victory. This was a good win for us heading into our last home game (Senior Day!) this coming Saturday, 1pm and then away Tuesday, both conference games."

UP NEXT:
- The Blazers will honor their seniors at home against Lasell in GNAC conference play on Saturday 10/23 for a 1PM start. The senior recognition ceremony will begin promptly at 12:45 pm. 

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