Nor'easters Upend Seahawks, 3-2

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Junior Taryn Flagg (Livemore Falls, Maine) and sophomore Michelle Oswald (Jay, Maine) each had a goal and an assist to lead the University of New England past Salve Regina University, 3-2, in The Commonwealth Coast Conference field hockey action Saturday afternoon at Gaudet Field.

The win moves the Nor'easters to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in the conference. Freshman Kelly Burke (Georgetown, Mass.) scored both goals for the Seahawks, who fell to 3-4 (0-1 TCCC) on the season.

Flagg's seventh goal of the season at 10:27 from the top of the circle gave the Nor'easters a 1-0 lead, but Burke answered back for the Seahawks just 30 seconds later to even the score at one with a shot from eight yards out.

UNE regained the lead at 2-1 at 16:13 when Oswald fed junior Michaela Franey (York, Maine) for her second goal of the season. Shortly thereafter, Burke one-timed a pass from classmate Kelly Allan (East Killingly, Conn.) to even the score at two at 20:47. Ten second later, Oswald potted her seventh goal of the season of a feed from Flagg to put the Nor'easters in front for good.

Senior Andrea Michel (Yarmouth, Maine) and junior Brittany Lopes (Lexington, Mass.) each had a penalty stroke in the contestfor Salve Regina. Michel took the first stroke for the Seahawks at 26:26 of the first half and was stopped by junior goalkeeper Ayla Nelson (Auburn, Maine), while Lopes' came at 45:02 of the contest.

"The first half was very back-and-forth," said Seahawk head coach Jen Eldridge. "We really needed to capitalize on our two penalty strokes today. Those could have been game-changing plays for us. It was a strong performance overall and a very competitive game, but those two strokes were the difference."

Nelson finished the contest with six saves while senior goalkeeper Devin Eppley (Darien, Conn.) made 10 saves for the Seahawks. Junior Jillian Stanley (Watertown, Conn.) recorded three defensive saves for Salve Regina, which was outshot 28-13.

The Seahawks return to action on Tuesday when they host Fitchburg St. at 4 p.m.