BABSON PARK, Mass. — September 27, 2008 – The 17th-ranked Babson College field hockey team fell to #20 Springfield College 4-3 Saturday afternoon on the Babson College Campus in the New England WomenÂ's and MenÂ's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) season opener.

Tied at halftime 1-1, the two teams turned on the offense in the second half. Babson first-year Erika Hansen (Marston Mills, Mass.) scored all three goals for the Beavers while four different players contributed goals for Springfield.

SpringfieldÂ's first goal was scored by Meghan Cole (Gloucester, Mass.) when she got the rebound from teammate Jillian UrtzÂ's (Verona, N.Y.) shot from the top of the circle. Cole one-timed the ball from the right post into the back of the cage. BabsonÂ's first goal came with less than 30 seconds left in the first half when the Beavers earned a penalty corner. Sophomore midfielder Colleen Kelly (Milton, Mass.) shot the ball from the top of the circle and Hansen deflected it in from the right post. The teams entered halftime tied 1-1.

Springfield came alive in the second half scoring the next three goals to build a 4-1 advantage. Jane Kelleher (Chatham, Mass.), Becca Gamble (Granby, Conn.), and Meg Bradley (Cumberland, R.I.) all contributed goals for the Pride during the run.

Though the game seemed out of reach for the Beavers, Hansen scored twice in the final five minutes to bring the game to a one goal differential. HansenÂ's second goal was scored off a rebound and her third was scored just four minutes later when she deflected a shot from teammate Jess Paladino (Turner, Maine) on a penalty corner. However, it would not be enough to prevent the 4-3 Springfield win.

Goalkeeper Alison McCarthy (North Andover, Mass.) had five saves for the Pride and Babson goalie Jessica Pashos (Winchester, Mass.) made one stop.

With the victory, Springfield improves their record to 5-2 (1-0 NEWMAC) and Babson is now 6-3 (0-1 NEWMAC). The Beavers visit Smith College next Saturday, October 4th, for another NEWMAC contest.