Box Score

HENNIKER, N.H. -- The University of New England field hockey team put on a dominating performance to hand New England College its first setback to a conference opponent this season and win the 2010 The Commonwealth Coast Conference Field Hockey Championship, 3-0, Saturday afternoon at Don Melander Turf Field.

The Nor'easters (13-6) claim the league's automatic qualifier and advance to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey National Championship, which begins Wednesday (Nov. 10). The NCAA will announce the pairings and bracket for the 24-team field Monday morning at 9 a.m., live at NCAA.com.

UNE started on its way to the program's first conference title in the 26th minute, when first-year #Casey Clark# (Franconia, N.H.) crossed through the middle and drove a back-handed shot off the stick of a defender up over the goalie into the net.

Big Blue maintained the one-goal advantage going into halftime, and held an 11-3 cushion in shots during the frame.

The visiting squad picked up right where it left off after the break, doubling the lead 5:01 into the stanza on a goal by senior #Michaela Franey# (York, Maine).

With 15:02 to play, UNE was forced into a short-handed situation because of a seven-minute penalty. The Nor'easters not only survived being a player-down for that time, but added the contest's final score with 7:56 left just before the penalty was released. First-year #Hannah Tavella# (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) inserted a penalty corner to junior #Michelle Oswald# (Jay, Maine), who ripped a low shot into the goal.

The Nor'easters continued their strong play right to the end, finishing the match with a 27-5 edge in shots and 16-10 in penalty corners.

Senior goalie #Ayla Nelson# (Auburn, Mass.) only needed to make two saves to record her fourth shutout of the year. It was the second time in 21 games this season that NEC had been held off the scoreboard.

"I think we displayed great strength today, and, especially on the defensive end, executed the game-plan well," said UNE head coach Jane Hurt. "Our players really built off of Wednesday's win, and it showed in their performance this afternoon. And the fan support we received on the road was huge."

"I'm so proud of the team," Hurt added. "They've worked so hard this season -- having to adjust to a new system, and the new turf -- it makes this accomplishment so much sweeter. It's really a testament to last year's squad and how this program has been built."

For the Pilgrims (11-10), who now await word on a possible ECAC Championship bid, junior Jesse Kilcullen (North Salem, N.Y.) posted 12 stops. Senior Kate Carnoroli (Bellingham, Mass.) tallied three defensive saves.


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