FIELD HOCKEY FALLS TO SMITH COLLEGE, 3-1
CHICOPEE, MA, Sept. 24, 2008- Elms College sophomore midfielder Courtney Gilmore (Mansfield, MA) netted her first goal of the year, but Smith College scored three first half goals en route to a 3-1 win over the Blazers in Wednesday night's non-conference field hockey game at Leary Field.
Smith improved to 3-2 with the victory, while Elms College lost its sixth straight and fell to 1-6.
Freshman forward Phoebe Hopkins (Philadelphia, PA) netted her sixth goal of the season just 20 seconds into the game after breaking down the wing and blasting a shot past Elms College senior goalkeeper Katelyn Wasgatt (Worcester, MA).
Sophomore midfielder Natalie Wickles (Hatfield, MA) extended the Pioneers' lead to 2-0 with her third goal of the season in the 23rd minute.
Senior midfielder Trina Campbell (San Anselmo, CA) followed with an unassisted goal in the 31st minute to push the Pioneers' lead to 3-0 at intermission.
The Blazers cut the deficit to 3-1 when Gilmore blasted home a pass from junior midfielder Danielle Boyer (South Hadley, MA) just 4:40 into the second half, but could get no closer as Smith registered its 14th win in 17 all-time meetings against Elms College.
Wasgatt played valiantly for the Blazers, as she turned away 19 shots in the loss. Smith junior goalkeeper Margaret Winter (Purchase, NY) did not register a save, but was credited with her third win of the season.
Elms College returns to New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) play when it hosts Wheelock College on Saturday, September 27. Game time is 1:00 p.m. at Leary Field.