BIDDEFORD, Maine – Endicott senior Hannah Thornberg (Oakland Maine) scored her 47th and 48th career goals on Wednesday night, sending her to the top of the all-time leaders in Endicott field hockey history. Unfortunately for Hannah and the Gulls, the effort fell short as Endicott was beaten 3-2 at University of New England, suffering their first loss in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play this year.
Endicott (10-4) -- which appeared today at No. 4 in the initial NCAA Regional Rankings for the New England East Region -- suffered its first defeat league action, falling to 6-1 in the CCC.
The win was the fourth in five outings for the Nor'easters (8-6, 5-2 CCC) since a September 29 loss to the Gulls, and snapped a three-game UNE skid in meetings between the teams.
UNE scored twice in the early stages of the second half to separate from a game that Thornberg had tied ten minutes into the first half after the hosts had gone ahead in the first three minutes.
Knotted at 1-1 coming out of halftime, Big Blue grabbed the advantage in the 41st minute of a goal by junior Casey Clark (Bethlehem, N.H.). Six minutes later, senior Suzy Libby (Danvers, Mass.) tallied her first career goal to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.
The Gulls, who had not put a shot on target to that point in the half, increased their offensive pressure and Thornberg netted her second goal of the contest with 7:33 left to pull the visitors to within one at 3-2. Classmate Taylor Matties (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) assisted on the score.
Endicott continued to push forward, and threatened on three more shots in the waning moments, but Big Blue sophomore Kaitlyn Warren (Boscawen, N.H.) was up to the task on each one. Warren turned in seven saves over the final 23 minutes, and finished the night with nine.
In the first period, the Nor'easters jumped in front early as Clark found classmate Hayley LaPointe (Topsham, Maine) for a drive into the right side just 2:14 in.
The Gulls answered after a little more than eight minutes of play, as Thornberg converted a pass from sophomore Alyssa Clark (Gorham, Maine) as she closed in on the left side, slotting a shot inside the near post.
Endicott nearly moved in front as time expired in the frame, but the shot attempt was denied by UNE senior Laura Egounis (Boscawen, N.H.) just inside the right post.
Senior goalie Taylor Teixeira (Exeter, N.H.) recorded three saves for the Gulls, who return home to face Salve Regina University on Saturday (1 p.m.).
The Nor'easters now prepare for a road trip to Gordon College the same day (1 p.m.).
