Field Hockeys Drops 2-1 Decision to Plymouth State in ECAC Title Game

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Third-seeded Plymouth State University captured the 2010 ECAC Division III New England Field Hockey Tournament championship with a 2-1 victory over top seed and host Bridgewater State University on Sunday afternoon at Swenson Field in Bridgewater.

Sophomore forward Olivia Colborn (Lancaster, N.H.) scored twice for the Panthers (14-7) including the game-winning tally in the 46th minute.  Colborn lifted a back-handed shot that sailed over the Bridgewater State goalkeeper's head and dropped into the back corner of the net.

Bridgewater (12-9) had taken the early 1-0 lead in the eighth minute of play as senior forward Bethany Bush (Littleton, Mass.) one-timed a pass from classmate Justine Fox (Harwich, Mass) and beat the Plymouth keeper to the left side. Bush finished the season with career highs in goals (22), assists (10) and points (54). She is also the Bears' all-time leader in assists with 25, and ranks second in program history in goals with 47 and points with 119.

Colborn answered in the 14th minute off a feed from junior forward Christina Parisi (Hampton Falls, N.H.) to knot the game at 1-1.

Plymouth played stifling defense throughout the remainder of the game as the Panthers held the Bears without a shot in the second half.  Plymouth held a 15-7 shot advantage for the game, while Bridgewater posted a 6-5 edge in penalty corners.

Sophomore Hilary Lemelin (Milan, N.H.) made three first half saves for the Plymouth and was not tested in the second half.  Senior Katie Weber (Arlington, Mass.) turned aside four shots between the pipes for the Bears.

Senior forward Kristina Conroy (Wakefield, Mass.) was selected as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player by the Plymouth State coaching staff.

2010 ECAC Division III New England Field Hockey Tournament Bracket