WESTFIELD, Mass. –  Eastern Connecticut State University parlayed a 28-1 advantage in shots into a 2-0 win over Westfield State University in a Little East Conference field hockey match at Alumni Field Wednesday night, in the process securing a spot in the LEC playoffs for the second straight year.

In defeating Westfield (7-7, 5-4 LEC) for the second straight year after nine consecutive defeats at the hands of the Owls, Eastern (8-6, 6-3 LEC) takes over sole possession of fourth place in the 12-team conference.. Westfield and Worcester State University entered play sharing fourth place with the Warriors. Worcester dropped a 2-1 decision at Framingham State University. The top eight teams qualify for the LEC playoffs, which get underway with first-round games in two weeks.

The six regular-season LEC wins are the second most by Eastern in the 18-year history of the conference and most in 14 years.

The Warriors got on the board 6:13 into the contest when senior forward Laura Chicorka's (Enfield) shot from the top of the circle was deflected by a diving save from Westfield State goalkeeper Megan Fountaine, but Eastern sophomore forward Alex Kallgren (Dudley, MA) crashed the back post unmarked to knock the ball into the backboard for her team-leading 11 goal of the year (her first game-winner) – equaling the second most in the conference.

Fountaine held the Warriors at bay for the remainder of the first half and until the closing minutes, making 12 saves in the contest.

The Warriors tacked on an insurance tally with 2:08 left in the game, when Kallgren had a shot blocked at the right post by a pair of Westfield State defenders, but the ball came off the foot of a Westfield player and the penalty stroke was awarded.   Senior back Mackenzie Brower (Granby) buried the penalty shot to give the final 2-0 margin, her third goal of the year.

Senior Samantha Scavo (Redding) started in net for Eastern and recorded a save on the Owls lone shot on goal in the first half.   Sophomore Maddie LaRusso (Enfield) played the second half without a save.

Eastern hosts Bridgewater State Saturday at noon before closing out its conference regular season Saturday, Oct. 31 against LEC co-leader Plymouth State University. Wins in its final two matches guarantees Eastern its first LEC home playoff match ever.