Field Hockey Victorious in 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship Game

Nov. 7, 2015

MERION STATION, Pa. - University of Massachusetts field hockey won its 15th Atlantic 10 Championship with a 3-0 shutout of No. 1 tournament seed Richmond at Saint Joseph's Ellen Ryan Field in Merion Station, Pennsylvania, Saturday afternoon. Melanie Kreusch -- the Atlantic 10 Tournament Most Outstanding Player -- provided a pair of goals and an assist in the win.

Kreusch finished the championships with 11 points via five goals and an assist as the Brussels, Belgium, native tallied three times in the 5-2 semifinal win over Saint Joseph's.

Izzie Delario provided the additional UMass tally and helped out on one of Kreusch's goals. Cliodhna Loughlin finished with two assists while Hailey Cockrum and Kreusch added one assist apiece. Sam Carlino produced the clean sheet with saves on each of Richmond's three on-target shots.

Massachusetts (11-8 overall) won its 15th Atlantic 10 Championship with the victory over Richmond and third of head coach Carla Tagliente's five-year tenure as the program leader. Tagliente also guided the Minutewomen to victories over Richmond in the 2012 and 2013 holdings of the event.

Delario put the Maroon and White on the scoreboard during the 14th minute. On a penalty corner, Kreusch pushed play to Delario near the left post for Delario's blast off the wooden backboard.

Penalty corners provided Kreusch with both of her scoring plays as well as the Minutewomen converted on three of their six corner tries.

Kreusch doubled the advantage when she put a shot out of reach of Richmond starting goalkeeper Emily Braunewell on a stop by Loughlin and insert from Delario 23 minutes, nine seconds into the first half. Following the halftime break, Kreusch added her second of the game during the 50th minute.

Carlino's effort in net proved vital early when she kept Richmond from scoring on a Kasey Gilbride shot less than eight minutes into play. Carlino was tested again in the 54th minute when she turned aside back-to-back Kelly Quinn attempts near the left post.

Massachusetts will find out its NCAA Tournament draw when the selection show is held at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8. Information on how to watch the selection show is available through http://www.ncaa.com/championships.

2015 Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team
Sam Carlino, Massachusetts
Izzie Delario, Massachusetts
Anne Dijkstra, Massachusetts
Sarah Hawkshaw, Massachusetts
Melanie Kreusch, Massachusetts
Cliodhna Loughlin, Massachusetts
Emily Leytham, Davidson
Katherine English, Davidson
Amy Cooke, Richmond
Taylor Deitrick, Richmond
Joely Helder, Saint Joseph's

Most Outstanding Player: Melanie Kreusch (11 points, five goals, one assist)

Scoreboard