Box Score GORHAM, Maine – The Eastern Connecticut State University field hockey team is still looking for its first Little East Conference win since the 2010 season, but the Warriors weren't far from breaking that streak Saturday afternoon.
In the conference opener for both teams, Eastern (1-2) outshot the University of Southern Maine (3-1) 10-5 in the second half but could not break through in a 1-0 loss against the former LEC champions at Hannaford Field.
Sophomore forward Peyton Dostie notched her fourth goal of the season in the 30th minute to lead the Huskies to their sixth straight win over the Warriors. Dostie snapped a scoreless draw with her second game-winning goal of the season on an unassisted strike. After collecting a loose ball in the circle, Dostie calmly diced her way in front of the cage for the lone goal.
Despite outshooting Eastern 9-4 in the first half, the Huskies were unable to beat first-year sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Mullen (Bethel) until late in the half. Mullen, who has a 1.33 goals-against average and .857 save percentage this year, made nine saves.
The Warriors pressured the Husky defense in the second half, outshooting Southern Maine 10-5 and forcing USM junior goalkeeper Kayla Kennedy to make all five of her saves. Kennedy was aided by the solid play of freshman Marina Davidson who made a pair of defensive saves in the final ten minutes of action.
Picked to finish fifth in the LEC pre-season poll, Southern Maine had outscored Eastern 17-3 in its three previous victories over the Warriors. Eastern was picked for last (12th) in the LEC pre-season poll.
Eastern visits Wheelock College Tuesday at 7 p.m.
