Morton Lifts Field Hockey To Regular Season Title

CHICOPEE, Mass. - In a battle for first place in the NECC, the Elms College Field Hockey squad fell to rival Regis (Mass.) 1-0 at Leary Field Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Blazers drop to 9-9 overall and 7-3 in the NECC, while the Pride climb to 10-7 overall and 8-2 in New England Collegiate Conference action to clinch the first seed throughout tournament play while the Blazers hold tight to the number two slot.

The first half saw runs up and down the field from both squads as they each attempted to light up the scoreboard to claim the early advantage. The Blazers defense was able to hinge the Pride's scoring efforts holding Regis to a first half total of three shots. Regis fired their first attempt seven minutes into the half off the stick off senior Kelsey Morton (South Portland, Maine) to which sophomore goalie Jillian Lapponese (Enfield, Conn.) shielded from entering the cage. From there, Regis would go on a three corner stint to which the Blazer back line would obstruct, clearing the ball out of the circle and over the midfield line. The Blazers saw their first shot of the contest at the 23:26 marker off the stick of freshmen Madison Gabel (Agawam, Mass.) however it ran wide. Despite offensive efforts on both sides of the scoreboard the contest would remain scoreless entering the second half of action.

The Blazers started off strong in the second posting their first corner of the half at the 38:37 marker in an effort to crack the scoreboard. Pride sophomore Aineen Callahan (Diamond Point, N.Y.) continued to be an offensive presence for Regis, firing another Pride shot to which Lapponese would collect. Regis would continue to battle with the Blazer defense eventually posting the one and only score of the contest during the 57th minute of action off the stick of Morton inside the circle. The Blazers had a chance to even the tides with a little over two minutes remaining in regulation off the stick of sophomore Madison Messier (Warren, Mass.) but the shot flew wide of the cage sending the Pride away with the victory.

The Pride controlled the shot column, 11-3, during the contest. Lapponese stopped a match-high nine shots, while Malcolm made one save for Regis.

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