Springfield, Mass. - October 14, 2026 - The Springfield College field hockey team rallied twice to defeat Eastern Connecticut, 3-2, on Wednesday evening at Stagg Field.
The Pride improve to 7-6 overall following their final non-conference game of the season, while the Warriors fall to 6-6.
Eastern Connecticut struck first, taking a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the first quarter. Springfield responded less than a minute later when
Rachel Simkewicz (Westminster, Mass.) scored on her own rebound for her ninth goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1. Simkewicz is now tied for the third-most goals in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) this season.
The score remained tied through the remainder of the first quarter, and neither team found the back of the cage in the second, despite Springfield recording five penalty corners.
The Warriors regained the lead early in the second half, going ahead 2-1 with 11:51 remaining in the third quarter. The Pride responded by generating offensive pressure and earning multiple penalty corners before finding the equalizer in the final minute of the period.
Clare Moore (New Preston, Conn.) scored her second goal of the season on a set play off a penalty corner, with
Amber Wolkner (Farmington, Conn.) recording the assist.
Springfield carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, taking its first lead of the game less than two minutes into the period.
Lily Bialack (Bridgewater, Conn.) scored off a penalty corner, redirecting a pass from Wolkner to give the Pride a 3-2 advantage. Springfield's defense held strong the rest of the way, preventing the Warriors from recording a shot in the fourth quarter.
Springfield outshot Eastern Connecticut, 24-9, and held advantages in shots on goal (14-8) and penalty corners (15-2).
Sam Orcutt (Forestdale, Mass.) finished with six saves in goal for the Pride.
Springfield returns to NEWMAC play on Saturday, October 17, when it hosts Mount Holyoke at 4 p.m. during Homecoming Weekend.
For the latest on
Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on
Twitter,
Facebook, and
Instagram. Be sure to tune in to all
Springfield College athletic events. Make a gift to
support Springfield College Athletics today.
