WESTON, Mass. – One late goal in the first half proved to be the difference maker, as the Regis College field hockey team fell to New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) foe Anna Maria College, 1-0 on Tuesday evening at Regis Stadium. The Pride fall to 3-10 on the year and 1-1 in league play, while the Amcats move to 8-5, 1-0 NECC with the victory.

The Amcats came out of the gate strong and had a great look to score within the opening minute of the game, as Nichole Lowe (Saugus, Mass.) freed herself for a shot on an open net. Her shot looked like it was about to cross the goal line, but sophomore goalkeeper Raegan Heck (Phillipston, Mass.) dove out of nowhere and tipped the ball out of bounds.

Anna Maria outshot the Pride, 11-5 in the first half. After knocking on the door several times, the Amcats finally got on the board as time was expiring on the clock. Sophomore forward Kayla Lapierre (Worcester, Mass.) dribbled the ball through the middle of the field and smacked a pass to a streaking Kylie Dalbec (Portland, Maine). Dalbec made her way into the circle, deked Heck to the right, and placed the ball into the back of the net with only two seconds remaining in the first half.

Coming out of the break, the Pride picked up the pressure. Within the first four minutes of the second half, Regis forced five penalty corners for themselves and took five shots, three of which came from Stacy Burns (Waltham, Mass.), who finished the day with seven shots.

Despite outshooting the Amcats, 10-6 in the second half and taking 16 penalty corners in the game, the Pride were unable to get anything past netminder Mary Kate Breen (Londonderry, N.H.). Breen finished with eight saves on the night, two of which came from close range as the Pride tried to tie the game off a penalty corner after the clock had already expired.

Defensively, Regis was led by Heck's nine save performance and solid play by senior Kym Kerr (Uxbridge, Mass.). Christine O'Toole (Boston, Mass.) and Sashae Walls (Everett, Mass.) chipped in with two shots apiece for the Pride.

Both teams return to play on Saturday, with Anna Maria hosting Elms at 11 a.m. and Regis traveling to Daniel Webster at 2 p.m.