Springfield, Mass. – October 24, 2026 – The Springfield College field hockey team defeated Wheaton (Mass.), 4-3, winning in a penalty shootout, 2-0.
With the win, the Pride improve to 9-7 overall and 3-5 in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play, while the Lyons drop to 9-7 overall and 4-4 in conference action.
Prior to the game, Springfield honored its 11 seniors in Bethie Boone (Holden, Mass.), Kaelin Cerasuolo (Hampden, Mass.), Ava Coppola (Southington, Conn.), Hailey Gaydos (Newington, Conn.), Emily Gorsuch (Yarmouth Port, Mass.), Kellie Matteo (Simsbury, Conn.), Rory McGinley (North Attleboro, Mass.), Sophia Sares (East Longmeadow, Mass.), Samara Skully (East Rochester, N.Y.), Kristyn Vasselin (Hudson, Mass.) and Amber Wolkner (Farmington, Conn.).
Coppola, Lily Bialack (Bridgewater, Conn.), and Clare Moore (New Preston, Conn.) each scored in regulation, while Moore, Bialack, and Skully converted their attempts in the penalty shootout to secure the victory. The contest marked Springfield's fifth overtime game of the season, all of which have come in NEWMAC play.
Springfield recorded two shots on goal in the opening quarter but was unable to find the back of the cage. After a defensive start, the game opened up offensively in the second quarter. Wheaton struck first less than two minutes into the period to take a 1-0 lead, but the Pride responded six minutes later. On a penalty corner, Moore redirected a pass from Wolkner into the cage to even the score heading into halftime.
The Pride came out strong to open the third quarter, generating multiple penalty corners and shots on goal in the first three minutes. After surviving Springfield's early pressure, the Lyons looked to respond, but the Pride took the lead when Coppola scored unassisted on a fast break.
Wheaton answered early in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 2-2 with fewer than 13 minutes remaining in regulation. Springfield regained the lead with just under nine minutes to play when Bialack chipped in a pass from Rachel Simkewicz (Westminster, Mass.) to put the Pride ahead, 3-2. The Lyons responded once more, finding the equalizer with 4:20 remaining to send the game into overtime.
Springfield controlled possession for much of the first overtime period but was unable to find the game-winning goal. Wheaton generated more opportunities in the second overtime period, but the Pride's defense held firm, forcing a penalty shootout. It marked Springfield's second shootout of the season.
In the shootout, Springfield goalkeeper Sam Orcutt (Forestdale, Mass.) dominated, shutting down each of the four attempts she saw. Moore, Bialack, and Skully each converted their attempts to give Springfield a 2-0 advantage in the shootout and secure the Senior Day victory.
Springfield outshot Wheaton, 24-11, and held advantages in shots on goal (17-7) and penalty corners (8-7). Orcutt finished the contest with four saves in regulation and overtime.
The Pride will take on Dean in their final home matchup of the regular season on Thursday, October 29, at 4:00 pm.
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