WESTON, Mass. – Two first half goals were the difference as the Regis College field hockey team defeated New England Collegiate Conference rival Elms College 3-1 on senior night at Regis Stadium. The victory, the Prides' second against Elms this season, improves the Crimson and Gold's record to 8-7, 6-2 NECC and with the loss, the Blazers drop to 2-13, 2-4 NECC.
Before the game, the field hockey team honored seniors Laurie DeMars (Maynard, Mass.) and Raegan Heck (Phillipston, Mass.) for their contributions to the field hockey program and the Regis athletic department.
After firing four shots on net to begin the contest, the Pride broke through in the 15th minute of the game. Regis set up shop in the Elms defensive zone which led to freshman Alycia LeConche (Simsbury, Conn.) passing off the ball to fellow classmate Jeszy McGuire (Brimfield, Mass.) in front of the cage. McGuire took this opportunity to rifle a one-timer that passed Blazer goaltender Samantha Alvino (Holtsville, N.Y.) for her third goal of the season and most importantly gave the Crimson and Gold the early advantage.
Regis scored again about 15 minutes later after Jenna Casello (Westborough, Mass.) took a shot from just inside the circle on net. Alvino made the save with her pad, but the rebound rose in the air and right on Lauire DeMars stick. The senior captain had the awareness to tip the loose ball top self into the cage to increase Regis' lead to 2-0 at the intermission.
The Pride outshot the Blazers 15-2 in the first half of play. Elms freshman forward Madison Messier (Warren, Mass.) took both chances early in the first half, however one shot attempt was saved by Heck and the other was just wide of the cage.
Both squads exchanged shots throughout the second stanza as the Blazers were looking to sneak a shot attempt past Raegan Heck. They found the perfect chance to do so off a penalty corner opportunity in the 61st minute of play. Stephanie Esposito (Orange, Conn.) took the corner chance, redirected the ball across the field before she ended up with the rock again at the top of the point. Esposito ripped a shot towards Heck that was tipped home by Hayley Omahen (El Cajon, Calif.) for her first career goal as Elms chipped into Regis' lead with nine minutes remaining in the contest.
A few minutes later, Elms drew an illegal pushing penalty on freshman forward Mackenzie Cattaruzza (Guilford, Conn.) which set up another corner chance. Esposito took the opportunity again and just like last time passed the ball around the horn before she ended up with the rock again. However this time Raegan Heck saw the play coming and came out of the crease to kick the ball out of danger to thwart the Blazer scoring chance.
Laurie DeMars added insurance in the 65th minute as she followed the rebound of Aineen Callahan's (Diamond Point, N.Y.) shot and put the loose ball into the wide open net for her second goal of the contest, which ultimately wrapped up the senior night victory for the Pride.
Raegan Heck earned her 8th win of the season while making six saves in net for the Crimson and Gold. Samantha Alvino secured 15 shots during the setback for the Blazers.
Regis travels to Becker on Saturday for an 11:00 a.m. contest with the Hawks while Elms returns home to Chicopee on Saturday for a home matchup with Daniel Webster at 11:00 a.m.