Hayes Leads Field Hockey to Dramatic 4-3 Win Over Thomas

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Sophomore forward Samantha Hayes (Norwood, Mass.) tallied a pair of goals including the game-winner late in the second half to lift the Bridgewater State University field hockey team to a dramatic 4-3 come-from-behind victory over visiting Thomas College on Sunday afternoon at Swenson Field.

The game marked the season-opener for the host Bears (1-0), while the Terriers fall to 2-1.

With the score knotted at 3-3 with under two minutes remaining, BSU freshman forward Jacquelyn Legendre (Westport, Mass.) rang the post with a shot from the left side. Hayes corralled the rebound and slipped a shot past the Terrier goalkeeper with just 1:28 showing on the clock.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 11th minute of play as senior forward Gabby Martell (Gorham, Maine) found the back of the net off an assist from freshman midfielder Miranda Gagne (Winslow, Maine).

The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Terriers until the 27th minute when the Bears tallied a pair of goals in a span of 35 seconds.

Freshman forward Jacquelyn Legendre (Westport, Mass.) potted the equalizer near the right post as she scored on a backhand shot off a nice feed from junior defender Janet Maher (Mansfield, Mass.). The goal marked the first of Legendre's collegiate career.

Moments later, Hayes gave the hosts a 2-1 lead as she hopped on a loose ball in front of the net and flipped a shot inside the right post.

Thomas regained the momentum late in the period as junior forward Abigail Dunn (Gardiner, Maine) beat the BSU keeper with a shot to the center of the net off a pass from freshman forward Kianna Pushard (Manchester, Maine). Dunn's goal, her second of the season, came with just 3:16 remaining in the opening stanza.

Martell regained the lead for the visitors just over ten minutes into the second half as she notched her team-leading fourth goal of the season. Sophomore midfielder Tiffany Weeks (Kennebunk, Maine) set up the scoring strike with a nice cross.

BSU senior forward Brittany Cullinane (Lunenburg, Mass.) converted on a two-on-one with 6:35 left to play to knot the score at 3-3. After her pass was deflected by a Thomas defender, Cullinane jumped on the loose ball and blistered a shot inside the near post.

Thomas held an 18-16 shot advantage for the game as well as a 16-12 edge in penalty corners. 

Sophomore goaltender Allison Chappell (Foxboro, Mass.) made eight saves to pick up the win between the pipes for the Bears. Senior Abbie Charrier (Waldo, Maine) turned aside six shots in the setback for the Terriers.

Bridgewater State is back in action on Tuesday afternoon as the Bears travel to WPI for a 4:30 non-conference game with the Engineers. Thomas travels to Colby College on Wednesday evening to take on the Mules at seven.