Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – She no doubt would have preferred it under more positive circumstances, but a 6-1 non-conference field hockey loss to Springfield College in the 2017 opener nonetheless proved to be the backdrop as Eastern Connecticut State University senior forward Alex Kallgren (Dudley, MA) became the No. 1 goal-scorer in the 21-year history of the program Saturday afternoon at Stagg Field.
A three-time all-Little East Conference selection, Kallgren's record-setting 30th goal in her 56th career match appeared to be an important one as it tied the match at 1-all in the 19th minute, before Springfield shut Eastern out the rest of the way, and got two goals each from Belle Copponi and Maggie Kennedy to pull away for its fourth victory over Eastern in four series matches.
Kallgren tied the 12-year-old goal record of E-Club Hall of Famer Mo Deegan with a pair of goals in a 4-1 Little East win at Salem State last Oct. 1, but went scoreless over the final seven games. Saturday, Kallgren connected on her third shot of the contest against Springfield junior goalie Emmalie Drake. Kallgren's first shot of the match sailed high in the 13th minute, and Drake stopped Kallgren's second bid four minutes later before the team co-captain found the back of the cage with 18:22 gone in the match.
The goal moved Kallgren into second place all-time in career points (73), six behind Deegan.
Kallgren, whose career-high 12 goals as a sophomore was one shy of the season record, shares Deegan's record of eight game-winning goals. Deegan recorded her 29-goal career total in 75 matches – equaling the most appearances in program history.
Eastern opens its Little East season Wednesday at Plymouth State University at 7 p.m.
