Field Hockey Repeats As NECC Champions
Leicester, Mass.- Becker College rallied from 2-0 down to defeat Wheelock College 3-2 in sudden death overtime, capturing their second straight the New England Collegiate Conference field hockey championship.
The Wildcats jumped on the board 20:03 into the game, when Jacquilyn Hull (Braintee, Mass) ripped a shot from ten yards out into the left corner of the net. Wheelock increased their lead to 2-0 when Milbrey Hendrix (Kennett Square, NY) lifted a shot over the head of Becker goalkeeper Nakita Gosselin (Springfield, VT).
The Hawks came alive in the second half. New England Collegiate Conference Player of the Year Victoria Sirchia (Goshen, Conn) broke through the Wheelock defense, scoring through the five-hole. Becker tied the score in the 67th minute when freshman Morgan Gass (Avon, Conn) put back her own shot, tying the game 2-2.
The two teams went in to sudden death overtime to determine the NECC Championship. With 9:18 remaining in overtime Victoria Sirchia drove a shot from ten yards out, just out of the reach of Meredith Race (Marion, Mass) for the game winner.
Meredith Race made eight saves in the loss. Wheelock finished the season with an overall record of 8-10. Nakita Gosselin made four saves, including three crucial saves in overtime. With the win the Hawks improved their overall record to 13-8.
At the conclusion of the championship game the NECC All-Tournament
team was announced. Senior midfielder Danielle
Gero (Holyoke, Mass) and freshman goalkeeper
Alexandra Bonavita (Agawam, Mass) were the Elms
College selections. Freshman midfielder Maeghan
Farrelly (Jamestown, RI) and sophomore defender
Sarah Steves (North Granville, NY) were selected
from Daniel Webster College. Junior forward Milbrey
Hendrix, freshman defender Chelsey
Ballard (Mansfield, Mass), freshman midfielder
Despina Savvoulides (Norwalk, Conn) and junior
Michaela Ross (Mansfield, Mass) were chosen from
the runner-up WheelockWildcats. Junior goalkeeper Nakita
Gosselin, junior defender Jessica
Provencher (Berwick, ME) and freshman forward
Morgan Gass were chosen from the champions.
Sophomore Victoria Sirchia was awarded the
Tournament Most Valuable Player. Sirchia had three goals and an
assist in the tournament.
