Field Hockey Suffers Heartbreaking 1-0 Loss To Rhode Island

Oct. 28, 2006

AMHERST, Mass. - Jill Powers tipped in a pass from Jeannie Records with 20:51 left as Rhode Island (8-8, 4-3 A-10) defeated Massachusetts 1-0 Saturday evening at Garber Field. The loss ends UMass' season at 6-13 as the Rams' clinched the final A-10 Tournament spot. UMass dominated the majority of the game holding a 27-5 edge in shots and 11-1 in penalty corners, but Rhode Island goalkeeper M.J. Britt made 14 saves. The Minutewomen had 22 shots alone in the second half but were unable to get in the scoring column.

The first 12 minutes of the game were played in a torrential downpour. Finally, when thunder and lighting moved in officials halted play and sent the teams into their respective locker rooms. After nearly a half-hour delay, play resumed and UMass had the best scoring chances of the two teams but the game remained scoreless heading into halftime.

With just under 20 minutes left in the first half, UMass got consecutive corners but was unable to get a shot on goal. 10 minutes later, Rhode Island nearly broke into the scoring column. Jill Powers received a pass in the circle and was all alone with UMass freshman goalkeeper Sarah Williams (Colorado Springs, Colo.), but she sent a shot just wide to the right.

The Minutewomen then got their third corner of the half with just under six minutes left. Sophomore Lauren Gillespie (Casco, Maine) ripped a shot from the left side of the circle that sailed just wide to the left. UMass held a 5-2 edge in shots in the first half and took three of the game's first corners.

UMass came out on fire in the second half, but Britt was there to keep the game scoreless. Senior Gina Sanders (Morgan Hill, Calif.) broke in alone on Britt in the first minute, but was denied. The rebound went right back to Sanders but Britt again made the save. UMass got consecutive corners out of the play, but Britt made two more saves and URI defenders were able to block a couple of shots. All told, UMass had eight shots in the first eight minutes of the second half, but were unable to get a goal.

With just under 21 minutes left in regulation, Rhode Island got the ball into UMass territory for the first time since halftime and were able to convert. Jeannie Records took the ball down the left side. Both UMass defenders moved to her as she entered the circle and Jill Powers was able to slip behind the defense. Records slid a perfect pass across the circle to Powers who was able to slip the ball past Williams for what turned out to be the game-winning score.

UMass continued the offensive onslaught after the goal, could not solve Britt. The Minutewomen had four more corners in the final 10 minutes that resulted in seven saves. With less than 10 seconds left, junior Rachael Mervine (Conway, Mass.) stole the ball from a URI defender at the edge of the circle and started towards the goal. In a rush to beat the clock, she took a desperation shot at Britt but it sailed just wide to the right as the final buzzer sounded.

Britt finished the game with 14 saves, while Williams had three for the Minutewomen. UMass' season comes to an end at 6-13. The Minutewomen finished 3-4 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Scoreboard

Team Stats

KING Cher

ORLANDO Katelyn

MERVINE Rachael

SANDERS Gina

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics