MANSFIELD, Conn. – Eastern Connecticut State field hockey staged a furious rally late but the comeback came up just short in a 4-3 loss to Keene State at Rick McCarthy Field on Saturday (Oct. 17).
Eastern Connecticut (6-7, 1-2 Little East) allowed a quick goal, just two minutes into the game and Keene State (9-6, 2-2 Little East) doubled their lead at 10:24 in the game.
A third goal, at 23:53 in the contest, put the Warriors in a 3-0 hole at halftime.
The rally started early in the second half with
Katie Harrington taking advantage of a scrum in front of the goal after a penalty corner. Harrington put home the pass from
Ada Ellis to make it 3-1.
Keene responded with a goal two minutes later to take a 4-1 lead into the final quarter.
Eastern dominated the fourth quarter, outshooting the Owls 9-2 in the final frame.
Audrey Molin picked up her team-leading 15th goal of the season with seven minutes left in the game. Molin found the ball in front of the net after
Jenna Boardman sent a pass across the face of the goal.
With just over a minute left in the game, Keene State turned the ball over on a restart with
Grace Barlage picking up the steal. Barlage brought the ball back into the circle and sent the ball toward the goal.
Sophie Ash's shot was saved but
Mackenzie Ray was right in front to put home the rebound and make it a one-goal game.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, the comeback ran out of steam over the last minute with Keene State running out the clock before Eastern could regain possession with enough time to make a final push.
UP NEXT
Eastern will make a weeknight trip to WestConn for a matchup with the Wolves on Tuesday (Oct. 20) at 6 p.m.
