Field Hockey Comes Close in GNAC Contest

WESTON, Mass. - Regis College battled Saint Joseph's College throughout the night, but the Monks were able to pull ahead late in the contest and defeat the Pride, 3-2, Tuesday in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) field hockey match at Regis Stadium.

Just over 10 minutes into the match, Saint Joseph's struck first as Abbie Jacques entered a penalty corner, corralled the ball after a couple of exchanges, and found Richelle Girard in front of the goal mouth for Girard's second goal of the season.

In the second quarter, Regis goalie Allayna Martone (Elkridge, Md.) made saves on shots by Jacques and Sadie Tirrell within the first two-and-a-half minutes to keep the Pride close. Regis would draw a penalty corner in the 20^th minute, and Gracie Marsh (Orange, Mass.) found Sarah Juskiewicz (Gorham, Maine) for the game-tying goal.

The Monks would regain the lead with 2:17 remaining in the first half when Jacques collected a loose ball after entering another penalty corner and converted on a shot for her third goal of the season.

In the 42^nd minute of action, Regis drew a penalty corner, and the ball eventually made its way to Frankie Alley (Gardner, Mass.) close to goal. Alley's scoring attempt was redirected into the net by Belle Celli (Pembroke, Mass.) for her first goal of the season, tying the match at 2-2 heading into the final period of regulation.

The Monks controlled the possession through most of the fourth quarter, and it finally paid off with five minutes left in regulation as Tirrell found Isabella Littler for her third goal of the year. The Pride drew three consecutive penalty corner opportunities in the final 1:10 of the fourth period, but Regis could not convert any scoring chances before time ran out.

Martone finished the match with 12 saves, her fifth contest this season with more than 10 saves, while Ashley Monteiro (Kingston, N.H.) made a key defensive save early in the fourth quarter to keep the match tied. Kassidy Collins was credited with two saves as she earned her sixth victory of the season.   

Maya Waryas continually advanced the ball toward the Pride net as she led all played with 14 total shots, including eight shots on goal. Alley paced the Pride with five total shots in a contest filled with penalty corners, with the Monks earning 20 penalty corner chances and Regis finishing with a season-high 13 penalty corners.

Regis College (3-10, 3-5 GNAC) plays its next three matches on the road, starting Saturday, Oct. 14, at Simmons at 11 a.m. Saint Joseph's College (6-6, 6-2 GNAC) travels to face New England College Saturday beginning at 12 p.m.