SPRINGFIELD, Mass., September 3, 2006 – The Springfield College field hockey team defeated Rensselaer, 4-1, in the championship game of the Zenaty Invitational this afternoon at SC’s Benedum Field.

In the consolation game played earlier, Endicott defeated Western New England College, 1-0.

The Pride finished the weekend with a 2-0 record. Both RPI and Endicott ended 1-1, and WNEC finished 0-2.

Dotty Potter Zenaty, for whom the tourney is named, is a legendary coaching figure at Springfield College. In a 34-year period before retiring following the 2003 season, she finished with 377 career victories, most ever in New England, and 5th most nationally. Her SC teams reached the NCAA Division III national semis in 1999, and the NCAA Championship game in 2000.

Junior forward Brittany Veazie (Dexter, Maine) of Springfield College was named the Tournament MVP. Also on the All-Tourney team was sophomore forward Allie Eisele (Walton, N.Y) from Springfield, sophomore forward Kerri Clark (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) from Rensselaer, senior midfielder Caitlin Murray (Templeton, Mass.) from Endicott, and junior goalkeeper Emilie Donka (White River Jct., Vt.) from Western New England College.

In the championship game, all the goals were scored in the first half. Springfield raced to a 4-0 lead in the first 20 minutes and never looked back.

The first goal was scored by sophomore midfielder Jillian Urtz (Verona, N.Y.) just 1:31 into the game. At 8:17, sophomore midfielder Jane Kelleher (Chatham, Mass.) scored what proved to be the game-winner, her second game-winner in two days. That goal was assisted by senior midfielder Ashley Burns (Falmouth, Mass.).

The third goal came at 16:01, the first of two by Veazie, the MVP. Veazie then closed the scoring for SC at 19:47. That last marker was assisted by Eisele.

At 25:37, Rensselaer sophomore forward Lisa Pak (Methuen, Mass.) tallied her third goal of the tournament for the Red Hawks’ only goal of the day.

In the net, SC junior goalkeeper Emma Kaplan (Ridgefield, N.J.) played the first 35 minutes and was credited with two saves and her second victory. Junior Julia Kincade (Durham, N.H.) played the second 35 minutes and also had two saves.

For Rensselaer, senior goalkeeper Liz Szewczak (Enfield, Conn.) had 18 saves.

In the consolation game between Endicott and WNEC, the only goal was scored by Endicott sophomore forward Michelle Berard (Ashland, Mass.) at the 5:16 mark of the first half. That goal stood up the remainder of the way. Senior goalkeeper Erin Curry (Hampstead, N.Y.) was credited with five saves and the shutout. For WNEC, junior goalkeeper Emilie Donka (White River Junction, Vt.) also made five saves.

published: 09/03/2006