BIDDEFORD, Maine — The Endicott field hockey team dropped a 4-1 contest, on the road to the University of New England in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action Tuesday night at the Big Blue Turf.
In a game in which the Nor'easters never trailed, UNE scored first as senior forward Nicole Matarozzo (Wolfeboro, N.H.) got things going for the hosts on a running, off-balance shot deposited into the left corner of the cage in the 10th minute off a feed from junior forward Vonde Saunders (Center Conway, N.H.).
Freshman forward Nicki Thurston (Fryeburg, Maine) evened the score at one apiece in the 28th minute with her team-leading sixth goal of the season on a cross from junior midfielder Emily Hirtle (Rowley, Mass.) to close out the first half.
Sophomore defender Marge Gardiner (East Northport, N.Y.) flipped a shot over the goalie pad from sophomore defender Kersey Boulay (Liberty, Maine) to break the tie and the Nor'easters never looked back.
The past seven consecutive meetings between the Gulls and Nor'easters had been decided by one goal, until tonight, as UNE tacked on two more scores (Saunders, Hannah Buckley) in the second half to remain unbeaten in conference play.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Today's game saw the Gulls lose their sixth straight game at the hands of the Nor'easters, as UNE now leads the all-time series, 12-11, dating back to the 2003 season.
- Senior goalkeeper Cheka Ventura (Lawrence, Mass.) made six saves as she fell to 3-3 on the season (2-1 CCC).
- Hirtle picked up her third assist of the season.
- Senior defender Emily Paladino (North Reading, Mass.) earned the Gulls' first defensive save of the same (second career).
FOR THE FOES
- Senior goalkeeper Holly Smith (Peabody, Mass.) stopped two shots to improve her record to 6-1 on the year.
- Saunders tallied one goal and one assist to lead UNE in points on the night.
- The Nor'easters are on a four-game win streak.
NOTES
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The Gulls have lost the last nine of 10 meetings between the two teams.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (3-3, 2-1 CCC) welcomes No. 15 nationally-ranked Amherst to Beverly, Mass. in non-conference action on Thursday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m.
UNE (6-1, 2-0 CCC) travels to Middletown, R.I. to take on host Salve Regina in a battle of the CCC unbeatens on Saturday, September 24 at 5:00 p.m. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
