Springfield, Mass. – October 27, 2009 – Alexa Carlson scored what proved to be the winning goal with 2:54 left in the first half as her Springfield College field hockey team defeated Smith College, 3-2, tonight in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference final regular-season contest at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field.

With the win, Springfield is now 9-8 overall, and finishes in a four-way tie for third with a 5-3 NEWMAC record. Smith fell to 3-12 overall, and finished winless at 0-8 in NEWMAC play.

Carlson’s goal was the Pride’s third of that first half, giving SC a 3-0 lead at the intermission.

But Smith came alive in the second half, and ultimately cut the margin to 3-2 on a goal by senior midfielder Anika Goodhue (Bennington, Vt.) with 18:34 remaining. But that was as close as the Pioneers would come.

Springfield opened the scoring on a goal by senior back Kerry Haugh (Andover, Mass.) at the 11:47 mark of the first half. That goal was assisted by senior midfielder Becca Gamble (Granby, Conn.).

Almost 11 minutes later, at 22:14, senior midfielder Morgan Rein (Mystic, Conn.) tallied for the Pride. That goal was again assisted by Gamble.

And then, with 2:54 left as the half was winding down and SC in total control, Carlson, a sophomore forward from New Milford, Conn., scored to give SC the 3-0 halftime advantage. That goal was unassisted. Springfield had a 10-3 edge in shots on goal at the time.

But just 2:08 into the second half, Smith sophomore attacker Phoebe Hopkins (Philadelphia, Pa.) closed it to 3-1 with an unassisted goal. And then it was Goodhue’s turn with 18:34 left on a goal assisted by Hopkins. And Smith certainly had the momentum.

But Pride freshman goalkeeper Anna Calano (Columbia, Conn.) put a halt to the Pioneer uprising the rest of the way. Calano finished with six saves. For Smith, senior goalkeeper Margaret Winter (Purchase, N.Y.) made 13 saves. Overall, Springfield outshot Smith, 19-8.

Springfield is not done with regular-season play quite yet. The Pride will host Plymouth State Thursday at Stagg Field at 6 pm. The NEWMAC tournament will then begin quarterfinal play Saturday. It would appear that Springfield will host a first-round quarterfinal, but that will become official either later tonight, or early tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Because Smith finished in ninth and last place, it will not play in the NEWMAC tourney.