Field Hockey Falls To Maine, 2-1

Sept. 18, 2005

ORONO, Maine - Freshman Lauren Gillespie (Casco, Maine) scored her first career goal, but Maine (5-3) defeated Massachusetts (3-5), 2-1, Sunday afternoon in non-conference field hockey action at Alfond Stadium. The Minutewomen had a 1-0 lead late in the first half, but saw the Black Bears score two unanswered goals to snap UMass' three-game winning streak.

The Minutewomen had the first six shots of the game, five of which were on goal. Seven minutes in, the Minutewomen had the game's first penalty corner. Junior Kwylan Jaggassar (Longdenville, Trinidad & Tobago) got a shot away, but it was saved by Maine goalkeeper Maygan Cassarino. Seconds later, the Minutewomen had another great scoring chance. Freshman Katelyn Orlando (Manchester, Mass.) came down the right side and fired off a quick shot that was saved by Cassarino. Junior Gina Sanders (Morgan Hill, Calif.) got the rebound in front of the net, but it was saved as well.

With 19:10 left in the first half, UMass capitalized on its chances and took a 1-0 lead. Freshman Erin Parker (South Deerfield, Mass.) came down the left side after taking the ball away from a defender at the 35-yard mark. Her shot was re-directed by Gillespie in front of the net into the goal. For Gillespie, it was her first career points.

With UMass holding a 7-1 advantage in shots, Maine began to take over the momentum late in the half. The Black Bears had four penalty corners, but could not manage a shot on goal out of any of them. Then, with 3:08 left, Maine pressured and was able to tie the game. Shaunessy Saucier scored off a feed from Kim McDonald.

Both teams had eight shots apiece in the first half. UMass sophomore goalkeeper Becky Letourneau (Greenfield, Mass.) made two saves in the half while Cassarino had five.

UMass had a penalty corner early in the second half, but Jaggassar had her shot blocked. Maine had its first scoring chance a few minutes later and took advantage. With 26:17 left, Kim McDonald got control of the ball deep in the circle. She wheeled around and fired a shot past Letourneau to give the Black Bears a 2-1 lead.

With just under 15 minutes left in regulation, UMass started to put the pressure on offensively. The Minutewomen got a corner, but could not get a shot off. They kept possession of the ball and Sanders had two shots in front of the cage which were saved by new Maine goalkeeper Rebecca Giroux. UMsss continued the pressure for the next few minutes. It's best scoring chance came with 8:30 left in regulation. Senior Jaime Bawden (Penticton, British Columbia) took the ball into the circle and sent a pass down low to Parker. Parker wheeled around and fired a shot that went just wide right. UMass kept the ball in the offensive zone for the next few minutes, but could not garner any additional scoring chances. Maine was able to run out the clock and snapped the Minutewomen's three-game winning streak.

Both teams registered 13 shots in the game. UMass had eight on goal, while Maine had seven. Letourneau made five saves in the game, while Maine controlled the edge in penalty corners, 6-3.

Massachusetts will return home to host Boston University on Tuesday night at 6:05 PM. The game will be broadcast live on the Internet beginning at 6:00 PM. Links for that as well as live stats via Gametracker will be available on www.umassathletics.com.

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Team Stats

GILLESPIE Lauren

PARKER Erin

SANDERS Gina

JAGGASSAR Kwylan

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics