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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Three 1st-half goals for the University of New England field hockey team proved to be enough, as the Nor'easters topped Gordon College by a 3-2 margin on Wednesday evening (Oct. 15) in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) match at the Big Blue Turf.

For Big Blue (9-5, 7-1 CCC), it was an 11th win in the last 12 meetings with the Fighting Scots, and completed the season sweep after a 2-0 win in Wenham back on September 17. The loss puts a halt to Gordon's five-game win streak, setting GC back to 8-7 overall (5-3 CCC).

UNE Senior Beth Sullivan got the scoring started 4:30 into the contest, knocking in a shot from the top of the circle off a penalty corner insert from classmate Hannah Cutting.

In the 13th minute, sophomore Nicole Matarozzo doubled the cushion by getting a deflection on a hard drive from 25 yards out off the stick of senior Kayla Lambert.

The hosts made it 3-0 in the 28th minute, when senior Erin Bibber sent a cross from the right side and first-year Vonde Saunders slapped her first touch into the cage.

After the Nor'easters held an 8-3 edge in shots during the opening 35 minutes, play evened out a bit following halftime. With just over 14 minutes remaining, Gordon senior Sarah Shannon collected a corner insert from classmate Courtney Scott and fired a shot into the net.

The margin held until Scott found a rebound near the left post and cut the deficit to the final tally (3-2) with 16 seconds left on the clock.

Big Blue, which finish ahead in shots (17-11) and corners (10-9), received six saves from sophomore Holly Smith. UNE will head for Salve Regina University on Saturday (5:30 p.m.).

Sophomore Shannon Hicks made eight stops for the Fighting Scots, who visit Roger Williams University on Friday (6 p.m.).


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