Northampton, Mass. – October 21, 2023 – The Springfield College field hockey program remained in contention for a postseason berth after this afternoon's 2-0 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory at Smith College.

Springfield improved to 7-9 overall and to 3-5 in league play, while Smith dropped to 7-9 (4-4).

The Pride struck for the first goal of the game just 6:43 into the opening quarter as sophomore Audrey Hayes (Oxford, Mass.) registered an unassisted strike for the 1-0 edge. Hayes' goal was her first of the season and fifth of her collegiate career.

The score remained the same until there was six minutes to play in the first half when graduate student Kaitlin Bardellini (Northfield, N.H.) notched her 12th goal of the year and 51st of her collegiate career. Bardellini's goal came following a shot from first-year Hailey Gaydos (Newington, Conn.) that was stopped by the Smith defender.

Springfield's defense as well as keeper Remy Niland (Marshfield, Mass.) kept Smith off the scoreboard for the team's third shutout of the season. The Pride held a 21-13 differential in shots and an 9-6 edge in penalty corners. Niland, who improved to 4-4 in cage for Springfield, made eight saves in the win.

Springfield will step out of NEWMAC play for its final non-conference regular season matchup of the year on Wednesday, October 25 with a contest at Gordon College beginning at 4:00 pm.

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