Box Score SALEM, Mass. – Three days after a sterling effort which nearly netted it an upset victory over one of the most traditionally successful teams in the Little East Conference, the Eastern Connecticut State University field hockey team appeared poised to end a string of six straight losses against conference foe Salem State University when the teams squared off Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
It wasn't to be.
At right: In just 12 matches, freshman Alex Kallgren (14) has become the sixth player in program history with as many as ten goals in a season. (Photo by Liam Murphy)
Despite experiencing one of its most disappointing seasons in recent years, Salem (2-10, 1-6 LEC) moved into the win column for the first time this year in conference competition with a 3-1 victory over Eastern (6-6, 3-4 Little East) that extended the Warriors' streak of futility against Salem to seven straight.
Hoping to qualify for the LEC playoffs for the first time in ten years, Eastern entered action in a four-way tie for fifth place in the conference. With a win, it would have taken over sole possession of fifth. Instead, it emerges from the loss in a five-way tie for fifth. All four teams entering play tied for fifth were beaten, and Westfield State joined that group at 3-4 after defeating visiting Framingham State University Saturday.
Salem had lost three of its conference matches by a combined 18-4 margin, but used two first half goals and played tight defense to gain the victory.
The first half was mostly a game of possession until Katie Pietrini put the Vikings on the board, taking a corner pass from Allison Kane in the 23rd minute for her team-leading sixth goal of the season. Six minutes later, Taylor Nawn converted a pass from Micaela Keogh to make it 2-0 lead at the half.
The Warriors came out energized to open the second period, and freshman Alex Kallgren (Dudley, MA) scored the Warriors' first goal – her team-leading tenth of the year -- off a rebound from sophomore Paige Schneider (East Lyme) to cut the deficit to one. With 14 minutes remaining, Salem State goalie Carolyn Woodin made an impressive save on an open look by Kallgren to keep the hosts in front. Kallgren became the sixth player in program history – second freshman -- with as many as ten goals in a season.
The Vikings finally iced the game when Kelsey Russell muscled in a goal from a scrum in front of the net in the 68th minute.
Woodin had three stops for Salem in net, Eastern sophomore Samantha Scavo (Redding) two.
Eastern junior back Mackenzie Brower (Granby) missed her second straight start with a concussion.
Eastern visits Connecticut College Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. The Warriors downed the Camels, 1-0, for their first win in the seven-game series.
