SPRINGFIELD, Mass., September 23, 2006 – The Springfield College field hockey team defeated Babson College, 3-2, in overtime this afternoon in an important New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) game at SC’s Benedum Field.

With the win, Springfield is now 6-1 overall and 1-0 in NEWMAC play, while Babson falls to 4-5 overall and 0-1 in league play. These two teams played for the NEWMAC title a year ago, with Springfield defeating Babson for the championship, also in overtime.

In today’s game, it was Babson that took a 1-0 lead just 15:06 into the contest. Junior midfielder Brittany Stevens scored the unassisted goal.

Springfield sophomore midfielder Jane Kelleher (Chatham, Mass.) then tied it just over seven minutes later (at 22:19 into the game). That goal was assisted by junior forward Brittany Veazie (Dexter, Maine). Kelleher is the reigning NEWMAC Player of the Week.

The score was 1-1 at the intermission.

A little over 14 minutes into the second half, Kelleher struck again, with her ninth goal in seven games for SC’s leading scorer. Veazie racked up another assist on the score, her third of the year.

But Babson had other ideas about going down quietly. With just 3:08 remaining in regulation play, freshman forward Kaitlyn Pettingill tied matters at two-all, forcing overtime.

The Pride came out strong in the first overtime, however, and Veazie tallied the game-winner just 1:30 into the extra session. The goal, her third of the season, was unassisted.

In the nets, SC junior goalkeeper Emma Kaplan (Ridgefield, N.J.) played the entire game and was credited with two saves and the win. For the Beavers, junior goalkeeper Soraya Gallegos was far busier, making 21 saves. SC outshot Babson, 24-5. The Pride had 11 penalty corners to Babson’s two.

Springfield will next return to non-conference action as it plays at Williams College on Tuesday evening, September 26th, at 6:00 p.m.

published: 09/23/2006