Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Scoreless at halftime, the University of New England rattled off four goals in the closing 35 minutes to defeat Western New England University, 4-1, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) field hockey action Saturday evening (Oct. 4) at Golden Bear Stadium.

The victory ended a two-game skid for the Nor'easters (7-4, 5-1 CCC), who now share first place in the CCC standings at the midway point of the league schedule. WNE falls to 3-7 overall (1-5 CCC). UNE has won all 11 all-time meetings between the teams.

Big Blue had a 10-1 advantage in penalty corners during the 1st half, but could only put two shots on target. Things were still 0-0 until the 43:47 mark, when senior Erin Bibber converted a feed from classmate Kayla Lambert to give the visitors an edge.

The lead lasted less than four minutes, as Brittany DeLima of Western New England sent a hard cross from deep in the right corner and Michelle Carlson connected with a one-timer right in front.

UNE regained the cushion for good in the 50th minute, when junior Alyssa Kowal put a lengthy hit into the circle from the left wing and first-year Alex Staples redirected it past the WNE goalie.

Bibber padded the margin (3-1) in the 57th minute, and first-year Vonde Saunders capped the scoring off a pass from senior Hannah Warren in the 61st minute.

The Nor'easters finished with a 16-4 edge in shots and 18-1 in corners.

Sophomore Holly Smith made two saves for UNE, which hosts Colby College for a non-conference match on Tuesday (7 p.m.).

For the Golden Bears, starter Renee Rossignol posted two stops over the initial 62 minutes before giving way to Grace Trupe.