SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Three different players scored for Endicott's field hockey team Monday night as the Gulls defeated Western New England 3-1 to win their third straight contest.
Endicott continues to hold a spot at the top of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) standings, now with a 5-0 conference record and a 9-3 overall mark. The loss drops the Golden Bears to 4-9 overall and keeps Western New England still searching for its first CCC victory (0-5).
Senior Hannah Thornberg (Oakland, Maine) scored her thirteenth goal of the season and the 46th of her Endicott career, which ties her for the all-time record with Jen McCormack. She also passed Jennifer Rheaume (2004-07) for the Endicott career points record. Thornberg now has 108 career points (46 goals and 16 assists).
Sophomore Emily Sawchuck (Cumberland, Maine) got the scoring started for Endicott 8 minutes and 9 seconds into the game, and senior Melissa Enright (York Beach, Maine) added another goal to stake the visiting team to an early two-goal advantage. Thornberg collected an assist on Sawchuck's tally, while senior Taylor Matties (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) helped out on Enright's goal.
Western New England responded with a goal of its own with 12 minutes left in the first half, when freshman Chelsea Hayes was able to find the back of the net on a pass from Sarah Race who collected a loose ball at the top of the striking circle following a penalty corner.
The turning point of the game came with two and a half minutes remaining in the first half, when Thornberg scored to put the Gulls back up by two goals. She followed up on initial shot that was taken by Stacie Teevens (Westbrough, Mass.) but rebounded off a WNE defender.
While the Golden Bears played a strong second half and put consistent pressure on the Endicott defense, they were unable to capitalize on any of their scoring opportunities.
Western New England took 10 penalty corners to Endicott's nine, but the Gulls outshot their hosts 18-6.
Endicott will be back in action Wednesday at Plymouth State, while Western New England will look to get back on track Thursday when it hosts Smith College in a non-conference game.
