Field Hockey Drops 3-1 Decision to UMass in Little East Title Game

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth field hockey team defeated visiting Bridgewater State University, 3-1, in the Little East Conference championship match at Cressy Field on Sunday afternoon.

At the 13-minute mark of the first half, sophomore forward Eleanor Taylor (Fairhaven, MA) put the Corsairs on the scoreboard when she redirected a blast from sophomore defender Taryn Cardiel (Moorpark, CA) past Bears senior goalkeeper Katie Weber (Arlington, MA), giving UMass Dartmouth an early 1-0 advantage.

Just over six minutes later, the Bears evened the score at 1-1 when sophomore forward Shelby Farland (Fiskdale, MA) deflected a shot by junior midfielder Stephanie Lannon (Swampscott, MA) past Corsair freshmen goalkeeper Lauren O'Brien (Rochester, MA). The Bears had a chance to break the tie at the 22-minute mark when Farland was awarded a penalty stroke, but she whistled the ball over the Corsair goal, keeping the 1-1 score intact.

With less than five minutes left in the first half, the Corsairs received a corner attempt. On the ensuing corner, Cardiel fired a shot from the point, which was saved by Weber, but senior forward Stephanie Kinchla (Falmouth, MA) gathered the rebound and snuck a shot into the Bear goal, creating a 2-1 lead for UMass Dartmouth. The Corsairs took the 2-1 lead into halftime.

As the clock approached 19 minutes left to play, the Corsairs delivered a final blow to Bridgewater State. Off another corner attempt, Cardiel blasted another shot on goal and this time senior defender Becca Festinger (Greenfield, MA) found the rebound and put a shot past Weber, securing the 3-1 victory and 2010 Little East Conference Championship for the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs.

The Corsairs outshot the Bears, 24-6, and held an 18-1 advantage in penalty corners. O'Brien made three saves for UMD, while Weber equaled her season-high with an impressive 16 saves for the Bears.

UMD improved to 15-7 with the victory, while Bridgewater State dropped to 11-8 with the defeat.  UMass Dartmouth advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships with the victory. The NCAA pairings will be announced Monday, and the first round games are scheduled for Wednesday. Bridgewater will await word on a possible ECAC Tournament bid.