Springfield, Mass. — September 6, 2008 – The Springfield College field hockey team used a balanced offensive attack and a sound defensive effort en route to a 2-0 win over Worcester State in the opening game of the Zenaty Invitational. The Pride will take on Smith in the championship match at 1:00 pm on Sunday.
With its season-opening win, the Pride stand at 1-0 and will square off against conference-foe Smith at 1:00 pm on Sunday at Stagg Field in the championship game.
Senior captain Jill Urtz (Verona, N.Y.) opened up the scoring for the Pride as she finished an Alexa Carlson (New Milford, Conn.) feed with 20:24 left in the first half. Springfield continued to pepper the Worcester State defense with shots and it recorded 16 in the first half alone.
Emily Murray (Boonton, N.J.) gave the home squad a 2-0 advantage in the second half as she found the back of the cage off a Morgan Rein (Mystic, Conn.) pass. Erin MacDonald was required to make 10 saves in the second half and 20 for the game in the loss for Worcester State.
In her first collegiate game, freshman Alison McCarthy (North Andover, Mass.) made just two saves in a shutout victory.
Smith 5, WNEC 2
In the second game of the afternoon, Smith tallied three first half goals en route to a 5-2 victory.
Leading the way for Smith in the contest was Phoebe Hopkins, who finished with a hat trick off 11 shots.
For the Golden Bears, Aimee O’Connell registered a goal and an assist in the loss. Lindsey Orszulak was tested all day in goal as she made 21 saves for WNEC.
Margaret Winter earned the win for Smith in the cage with eight saves.
