Cambridge, Mass. – September 24, 2011 – The Springfield College field hockey team could not overcome a four-goal deficit as it fell to MIT, 4-2, in its New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener on Saturday afternoon.

MITÂ's three leadings scorers, Molly Duffy, Kameron Klauber and Kimberly Barker all found the back of the net in the first half to lead MIT to a win, bringing them to 8-2 this season. Springfield is still in search of its first win of the season as it falls to 0-5.

Barker put the Cardinal and Gray ahead early with her sixth tally of the year less than seven minutes into the contest. Duffy gathered a rebound near the right post and sent it toward the net where Barker was able to finish the job.

Duffy picked up her team leading 12th goal of the year just two minutes later, on a beautiful feed from Klauber. Klauber then got in on the act midway through the frame with an unassisted marker, to put Tech up 3-0, an advantage it would take into the locker room.

Elizabeth Dethy extended the lead early in the second half, pushing one home after a frantic scramble in front of the Springfield goal.

The Pride would not go down without a fight, however, netting a pair of goals within five minutes to cut the deficit in half. Lynne Donoghue scored off her own rebound with 23:18 to go. Donoghue then assisted on Liz Hurley’s marker with a hard blast into the circle that Hurley redirected past MIT goalkeeper Jenna Klein.

The MIT defense stood tall down the stretch, negating a 10-minute penalty while Klein also made three huge stops in the final minutes.

Springfield will play again on Sunday afternoon when it hosts Cortland in a non-conference game beginning at 1:00 pm.

(Photo by Cindi Williamson of Fat Dog Fotos)