10/23/2007
Field Hockey Nips Smith College, 2-1; Cougars Earn NEWMAC Tournament Berth

WORCESTER, MASS. 10/23/07 - Clark University scored a goal in each half en route to a 2-1 come-from-behind New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory over Smith College in field hockey action on Senior Night Tuesday at Granger Field.

Clark earned its second straight conference victory to improve to 7-9 and 2-6 in the NEWMAC. Smith falls to 3-12 (2-6 NEWMAC).

The Cougars had several strong scoring chances within a five minute span in the early going. Sophomore Carley Corkum’s (Newbury, Mass.) centering pass found Precious Ra’Akbar (Baltimore, Md.) on the left side of the cage, but the sophomore forward’s shot was slapped down by Smith goalie Margaret Winter (Purchase, N.Y.) in the 10th minute. Just over a minute later, a shot by junior Madeleine Henefield (Pelham, Mass.) was turned away by Winter and Ra’Akbar’s bid floated wide right in the 14th minute.

Junior Alex Janos (Hillsborough, NJ) gave Smith a 1-0 lead when she tipped a pass from Mary Kate Long (Boylston, Mass.) high over Clark keeper Katelyn McGrath (Wilmington, Mass.) in the 29th minute.

Clark answered just 1:53 later when Ra’Akbar notched her fourth goal of the season and tied the game, 1-1. Sophomore Lauren Blake (Oakland, Me.) blasted a ball from the backfield to Ra’Akbar, who found the goalie out of position, and knocked home an open shot in the 31st minute.

With the score tied at one-all following the break, Clark, which held a 6-2 shot advantage in the second half, searched for the game-winner. Ra’Akbar’s attempt in front was stopped short with a kick save by Winter just over eight minutes into the half. The Cougars finally broke through after Blake’s hard shot in the circle bounced off a Smith defender and into the goal in the 51st minute. It was her team-leading 17th goal of the season.

Clark had a chance to extend the lead, but Winter made point blank stops on consecutive shots from sophomore Chelsea Proulx (Franklin, N.H.) with 11 minutes remaining.

Clark’s McGrath had two stops in goal to record her second win of the season. Winter finished with eight saves for Smith.

Prior to tonight’s contest, seniors Brooke Osgood (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and Kate Willis (Lincoln, R.I.) were honored for playing in their final regular season home game.

Clark will earn the sixth seed in the upcoming NEWMAC Tournament and face third seed Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. on Saturday (TBA).