Box Score
Post-Game Interview
Photo Gallery

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- A goal in each half lifted the University of New England to a 2-0 victory over Simmons College in the opening round of the 2014 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship on Wednesday evening (Nov. 12) at the Big Blue Turf.

With their first-ever NCAA win, the Nor'easters (17-6) move into the second round of the tournament, where they will visit Middlebury College on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Panthers, ranked No. 2 in the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll, received a first-round bye.

To view the interactive bracket for the 2014 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship, click HERE.

The Sharks close out the season with a record of 13-6.

Big Blue survived four Simmons penalty corners over the initial three minutes, though only one shot came from the sequence. It was the lone shot UNE surrendered during the 1st period, and sophomore goalie Holly Smith blocked it away.

The hosts then got on the board at the 15:33 mark, when senior Erin Bibber converted a rebound on the left side, after sophomore Brooke Marshall bounced one off the right post.

Bibber nearly struck again with a little more than one minute remaining in the frame, but Sharks sophomore Amy Wilson came up with the defensive save protecting the right post behind classmate Brianna Rastello.

The Nor'easters continued to carry play following halftime, but Rastello maintained the one-goal deficit past the midway point of the 2nd stanza -- already matching her season-high for saves (11) by the 48th minute.

UNE first-year Vonde Saunders pressured Rastello with a pair of tries from the doorstep in the 54th minute, and soon the ball ended up under a body in the crease, giving Big Blue a penalty stroke. For the second time in as many games, senior Beth Sullivan cashed in on a stroke attempt, lofting the ball up into the left corner for a 2-0 lead.

Smith calmly made her second and final save of the night in the 58th minute to preserve the shutout bid, and neither side threatened much the rest of the way.

The Nor'easters finished with 23-4 advantage in shots, in spite of Simmons holding a 10-7 edge in corners. Rastello totaled 13 saves for the Sharks.


Click HERE to view the Photo Gallery

Watch the post-game interview with Erin Bibber, Beth Sullivan, Hannah Warren, and head coach Danielle Collins