Western New England’s Upset Bid Falls Just Short with 2-1 Loss at UNE in CCC Semifinals

Carlson gives Golden Bears early lead, Trupe records career-high 18 saves

BIDDEFORD, Maine (November 1, 2017) – The fourth-seeded Western New England University field hockey team led top-seeded University of New England for 67 of the 70 minutes of regulation, but the Nor'easters equalized late before coming away with a 2-1 win in overtime on Wednesday evening in the semifinal round of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament at the Big Blue Turf. 

With the win, UNE (16-4) advances to the CCC championship game on Saturday and will host second-seeded Endicott, which defeated No. 3 seed Salve Regina 5-1 in Wednesday's other semifinal. Despite the valiant effort, Western New England's season comes to a close at 9-10.

Top Performers
• Senior forward Michelle Carlson (Hackettstown, N.J.) scored Western New England's lone goal in the opening minute of the contest.
• Senior goalkeeper Grace Trupe (Cardiff, Calif.) was spectacular in the final appearance of her collegiate career, as she recorded a career-high 18 saves and kept the Nor'easters off the board for the majority of the contest.

• UNE senior midfielder Olivia Madore (Lyman, Maine) tallied the game-tying goal for UNE late in regulation, and sophomore forward Kendra MacDonald (Lebanon, N.H.) recorded the game-winner in overtime. 

Match Review
• Western New England took a 1-0 lead just 43 seconds into the contest on Carlson's 11^th goal of the season. Senior forward Brittany DeLima (Branchville, N.J.) sent a low drive towards the goal from the top of the circle, but UNE freshman Liz Sargent (South Burlington, Vt.) was there to make the save. The Nor'easters were unable to clear the ball, however, and Western New England sophomore Jacqueline Clark (Auburn, Mass.) flicked it towards Carlson, who finished at the far post.
• UNE fired 16 shots, including nine on target, at Trupe in the first half. The senior stopped all nine attempts as the Golden Bears maintained their 1-0 advantage at the break.
• Western New England led by the same margin for the majority of the second half, until Madore knocked in the game-tying goal with 3:05 remaining in regulation.
• The Nor'easters then secured the game-winner 6:47 into overtime, when MacDonald's shot from close range redirected off a  Western New England defender's stick and rolled across the goal line.

Notes
• UNE outshot Western New England 31-6 and held a 12-2 advantage in penalty corners.
• In three games against the Nor'easters this season, Trupe recorded a combined 48 saves (13, 17, 18).
• The Golden Bears were seeking their second consecutive appearance in the CCC title game.