09/08/2009
Field Hockey: UMD Holds Off Cougars, 2-1

Box Score

Release courtesy of UMass-Dartmouth Sports Information

North Dartmouth, Mass. - Junior forward Stephanie Kinchla and freshman forward Eleanor Taylor scored goals three minutes apart late in the second half to boost the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's field hockey team to a 2-1, come-from-behind victory over Clark in the 2009 home opener for the Corsairs at Cressy Field Tuesday evening.

Kinchla took a pass from Taylor and converted a shot off a penalty corner with 9:29 remaining to tie the score. Taylor followed with her game-winner with 6:20 left, when she deflected home a shot by junior defender Becca Festinger, also off a penalty corner.

The Cougars took a 1-0 lead with 2:30 left in the first half when senior forward Lauren Blake (Oakland, Maine) scored off a penalty corner. After Taylor's goal, Clark pressed for the equalizer, but UMD was able to hold them off and preserve their lead.

UMD out shot Clark, 15-9. Senior goalkeeper Seana Golden made six saves for the Corsairs, while senior Kathryn Dawsey (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) made 10 for the Cougars.

UMD improved to 1-1 with the victory, while Clark dropped to 1-2 with the defeat. UMass Dartmouth will return to action when they host Wheaton Thursday evening. The Cougars will host Becker Saturday.