Northampton, Mass. – October 5, 2010 – Junior Alexa Carlson tallied two goals and added three assists as the Springfield College field hockey team continued its strong play with a 9-4 win at Smith on Tuesday in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest.

The Pride has now won three-straight games to even its record at 5-5, including a 2-1 record in league play. The loss dropped the Pioneers to 3-6, 0-4.

The goals came fast and furious, as the teams combined for 13 goals off 42 shots, 19 penalty corners. 10 different players scored a goal as Smith first year Allie Stein had a goal and two assists, while Meghan McHugh had a hat trick for Springfield.

McHugh got the scoring underway for the Pride at the 15:45 mark of the first half, knocking home a pass from Kayla Sokol in a scrum in front of the net.  Kelly Gallo doubled the advantage 10 minutes later, then set up a goal for Carlson at 27:37 that made it 3-0.

McHugh scored her second of the game off a penalty corner two minutes before halftime to send the Pride into the break up 4-0.  Springfield goalie Alison McCarthy smothered Stein’s breakaway just before the first half buzzer.

Carlson added another goal 35 seconds into the second half, and Smith countered three minutes later with a goal from Nia Spooner.  The sophomore wrapped a pass from Stein around Anna Calano, who came on to play the second half for the Pride.

Amy Dean made it 6-1 in the 46th minute, and the Pride increased the lead up to 9-1 with goals from Liz Hurley, McHugh, and Lynne Donoghue.

Smith would not be denied, as Phoebe Hopkins netted her fourth goal of the season when she fired in her own rebound with 61:51 on the clock.  

Stein added a third for Smith, slipping the ball past Calano on a penalty corner, and Alexa DeJesus got her third goal of the season when Spooner’s pass found her wide open on the far side of the cage for the marker.

Savannah Lawson, making her third straight start, made eight saves for Smith.  McCarthy played the first half for Springfield and made four saves – Calano made two in the second half.

Springfield will next host a crucial league contest against WPI on Saturday at 1:00 pm