Seahawks finish homestand with a flourish

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Salve Regina University field hockey ended its four-game homestand with its third-straight win, a 7-1 decision over Western New England University in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at Gaudet Field.

Sophomore Alexisse Clinger (Nantucket, Mass.) enjoyed her second career multi-goal game. Her first came 20 days ago in Springfield, Mass., when the Seahawks defeated the Golden Bears, 8-4, in the first CCC contest for both schools.

Clinger scored the game's first goal in the fourth minute of action. Senior Lisa Bucci (Irvington, N.Y.) assisted on the score.

Bucci scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season later in the period, the eventual game-winner, to give Salve Regina a 2-0 lead by halftime.

Salve Regina (6-5; 5-1 CCC) erupted for four goals during a seven-minute span early in the second period, including three in less than 60 seconds. Sophomore Julia Grover (Cotuit, Mass.) scored the first two (37:39 and 43:47) with Clinger and Bucci assisting on the former and latter, respectively.

Clinger then dribbled in for an unassisted goal, her sixth of the season, at 44:09; sophomore Lindsey Mazzola (Upton, Mass.) scored her first of the season just 34 seconds later for a 6-0 Seahawk advantage.

Western New England (2-8; 1-5 CCC), which outshot Salve Regina in the earlier meeting (22-to-15), managed just five shots in this contest, two in the second half, one which escaped the Seahawk goal keeper, Murphy McCann (Westerly, Mass.). Golden Bears senior Jaynie Mueller (Colorado Springs, Colo.) notched her fourth goal of the season after converting a pass from classmate Sarah Race (Erieville, N.Y.).

Last season's rookie of the year in the conference, Abigail Tepper (Foxboro, Mass.), finished the scoring with an unassisted goal in the 65th minute.

Freshman goal keeper Emily Arnold (Gilford, N.H.) made 10 saves for Western New England.

Salve Regina has outscored Western New England, 15-5, in the season series. During the four-game homestand, the Seahawks won the last three games and outscored the quartet by three goals (12-9). Salve Regina hits the road for a pivotal match with Gordon College on Saturday.

Western New England plays at Smith on Thursday (4 p.m.).