Corsairs hang on late; beat Seahawks 2-1

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Sophomore goalkeeper Alison Burke (Franklin, Mass.) stopped Sarah Thompson (Clinton, Conn.) on a penalty shot with two minutes remaining in the game and UMass Dartmouth hung on for a 2-1 victory over the Salve Regina University field hockey team at Gaudet Field.

The Seahawks had multiple chances to tie the game in the final minutes, but could not find the equalizer as shots rang off the post or were blocked by Corsairs defenders.

The Corsairs struck first, capitalizing when Salve Regina turned it over in their own end creating a 2-1 rush for the visitors. Jill Levrault (Somerset, Mass.) drove in then dished the ball across the goal to Delaney Burns (Wayne, N.J.) who tapped in the first score of the afternoon.

Both teams traded chances but the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Corsairs at half-time.

The Seahawks came out strong to begin the second half but could not find the back of the net. There were times when the Seahawks were able to get balls into the slot but not quite get a shot off because of the Corsairs interior defense.

The Corsairs struck again with 20:02 left in the second half to extend the lead. After the ball was moved to the slot it squirted free for Caroline Daubitz (Feeding, Mass.) who had a clear shot at Salve Regina keeper Jessie Severino (Branford, Conn.). Severino went into a split to stop the shot but it snuck under the pads and rolled in giving the Corsairs a 2-0 lead.

Time was starting to become a major factor for the Seahawks when Abigail Tepper (Foxboro, Mass.) scored on a feed from Lindsey Mazzola (Upton, Mass.) to cut the lead in half with 7:13 left to play.

The Seahawks finished with a flurry, peppering shots towards the net to try and find the tying goal. The best chance coming when a ball took a deflection of a stick in front and seemed to be heading for the back of the cage before a Corsairs stick reached out and plucked it out. The play gave the Seahawks a penalty shot opportunity but Thompson was turned away by Burke.

Severino finished with eight saves while Burke notched 10 saves for UMass.

The Seahawks fall to 1-1 on the season while the Corsairs earn their first victory of the year in their first game.

Next up Salve Regina will host Worcester St. this Saturday, September 5 at 5 p.m. The Corsairs will travel to face MIT at noon on Saturday.