BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Endicott field hockey team traveled to the University of New England on Saturday afternoon for the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship. The Gulls tallied two late goals in the final ten minutes of regulation to force an overtime period with a 3-3 score. In the final minutes of the second overtime the Nor'easters tallied the title game winner off a penalty stroke goal to secure the title. Endicott ends their season after a hard fought effort at 16-5 while UNE moves on to the NCAA Tournament at 16-6.
The Endicott field hockey ended their season with their head's held up high as they graduate nine seniors who played an amazing four year career. The 2014 season brought record breaking performances by senior Emily Sawchuck (Cumberland, Maine) while six members earned All-CCC honors.
The first half was an absolute battle with the Nor'easters taking 12 shots to the Gulls five. UNE got on the board first at 3:09 when Alex Staples (Alfred, Maine) controlled a feed from Erin Bibber (Charlton, Mass.) and beat sophomore goalkeeper Cheka Ventura (Lawrence, Mass.) for the 1-0 lead.
The lead would not last for long as just three minutes passed when freshman Maggie Mayo (Sandwich, Mass.) earned a tip-in goal off an initial shot by Sawchuck. After battling for the remainder of the half UNE's freshman Vonde Saunders (Center Conway, N.H.) tallied her 11th goal of the season at the 26 minute mark the give the Nor'easters a 2-1 edge heading into the second half.
The second half was an even bigger battle as each side both ripped 12 shots while the Gulls earned 11 penalty corners. At the 49 minute mark the Nor'easters took a 3-1 lead after Saunders tallied her second goal of the game off a rebound on Ventura.
Down by two goals the Blue and Green were working for every ball and with just under 10 minutes to go in the game senior Kathryn Walker (Middlebury, Conn.) scored her first goal of the season after she controlled a rebound off sophomore goalkeeper Holly Smith (Peabody, Mass.) and sent the ball back into the back of the net.
Needing one more goal the Gulls continued to work the offensive end and with one minute remaining in regulation the CCC Offensive Player of the Year, Sawchuck tallied her 21st goal of the season after ripping a shot off a penalty corner off an initial feed from senior Liz LeClair (Wilton, Maine.) After a few last minute opportunities the Gulls could not capitalize as they forced an overtime period after making an incredible comeback.
In the first overtime period the Blue and Green were on fire was they blasted seven huge shots to UNE's two while forcing Smith to make six crucial saves. After the first 15 minutes of play neither side could get the game winner forcing a second series of extra time.
The second overtime period was a battle as the Nor'easters ripped six shots and after huge efforts by the Endicott defense the Nor'easters earned a penalty stroke with just under five minutes in regulation. After a scuffle in front of the net the ball hit an Endicott defender on the foot forcing the stroke. The CCC Defensive Player of the Year, Beth Sullivan (Cumberland, R.I.) stepped up to the mark and tallied the game winner to send UNE into the NCAA Tournament.
Despite the outcome the Gulls posted an incredible game as Ventura finished the 95 minutes with 17 save while her counterpart, Smith made 14.
