Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Senior Michelle Oswald (Jay, Maine) slapped home a bouncing ball 3:08 into the first overtime period to lift the University of New England to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Castleton State College in non-conference field hockey action Sunday afternoon at the Big Blue Turf.

Sophomore Casey Clark (Bethlehem, N.H.) started the game-winning play on the right side, sending in a cross that deflected up over a group of players in the middle. Classmate Hayley LaPointe (Topsham, Maine) provided a soft touch to bring it down and left it for Oswald waiting on the left side.

The Spartans maintained their 3-2 halftime edge for most of the second frame, until UNE sophomore Kelsea Beisaw (Jay, Maine) tapped home the equalizer with just over six minutes left in regulation. Junior Laura Egounis (Boscawen, N.H.) took the initial shot from the left side of the circle, and sophomore Hannah Tavella (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) redirected it around the Castleton goalie for Beisaw at the left post.

UNE first-year goalie Kaitlyn Warren (Boscawen, N.H.) came up with a key save on a breakaway in the closing moments of the second period to keep things level and force overtime.

With the win, Big Blue moves to 3-0 on the season. The Spartans remain winless in two outings.

The visitors got the scoring started 5:11 into the match, when junior Caitlin Briggs (Germantown, N.Y.) collected a long rebound off a kick save and slipped a low shot into the left side.

The Nor'easters pulled even seven minutes later when senior Bree Tupper (Winthrop, Maine) poked in a rebound after a try by LaPointe on a fast break. Tupper gave UNE the lead after another 2:33, putting in a cross from Clark, who picked up a loose ball along the right endline.

Castleton made it 2-2 when sophomore Rachel Preussier (Craryville, N.Y.) weaved her way through a couple of defenders to score at the 19:24 mark of the stanza. With less than five minutes to play in the opening period, Briggs put the Spartans in front once again, receiving a long cross from senior Stephanie Paproski (Newtown, Conn.) right in front and spinning to make a left-handed swipe into the open cage.

Warren turned away five shots between the pipes for UNE, while senior Bridget Dusha (Greenwich, N.Y.) of Castleton recorded 12 saves. For the game, the Big Blue managed a 25-12 advantage in shots, including a 14-3 margin after halftime.

The Nor'easters are back at it Tuesday on the road against Framingham State University (4 p.m.). The Spartans return to action the next day with a trip to Plymouth State University (4 p.m.).


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