Field Hockey Drops 2-1 Double Overtime Decision to UNE in ECAC Semifinals

PLYMOUTH, N.H. -- Freshman Brooke Marshall(Bow, N.H.) deflected home a wide shot with just 1:58 remaining in double overtime to lift second-seeded University of New England into the finals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Field Hockey Championship with a 2-1 victory over third-seeded Bridgewater State University on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 16) at Arold Field on the campus on Plymouth State University.

The Nor'easters (16-6) advance into Sunday's championship game against the top-seeded hosts (PSU), which dispatched on No. 5 Worcester State University in the day's first semifinal by a 7-1 margin.  Bridgewater State wraps up the 2013 season with an overall mark of 16-6.

Senior Hannah Tavella (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) had given UNE a 1-0 first half lead with a goal in the 20th minute on a deflection through traffic in front of the net.

Sophomore Brittney Field (Hubbardston, Mass.) notched the equalizer for the Bears in the 50th minute as she scored off the rebound of a Carissa Vizakis (Bellingham, Mass.) shot.

After the teams played through one overtime period and most of the second, Hannah Warren (Harrison, Maine) sent in a shot that was heading wide of the net which Marshall redirected inside the left post to win the game.

Freshman goalkeeper Holly Smith (Peabody, Mass.) made four saves in the win for the Nor'easters, while senior Kacie Sturgeon (Dartmouth, Mass.) turned aside seven shots in the setback for the Bears.

UNE held a 12-9 shot advantage for the game as well as a 10-2 edge in penalty corners.