MANSFIELD, Conn. – After allowing two early goals, Regis College's defense held Eastern Connecticut State scoreless for close to 53 minutes, but the Pride could not complete a comeback, losing to the Warriors 2-1 in a non-conference collegiate field hockey match at Rick McCarthy Field.
Eastern Connecticut State (3-8) gained possession right away and quickly moved into the Regis defensive zone, drawing a penalty corner in the first minute of action. Khiara Valentine's shot towards the net was redirected into the goal by Brianna Nolan to put the home team on top.
After Regis could not convert on two penalty corners of their own, Valentine took a pass from Alivia Celentano and raced up the field with the ball, sending it into the net to extend the Warrior lead to 2-0 just 7:02 into the contest. The action settled down through the rest of the first period, as only one shot was credited until the start of the second period.
Just over two minutes into the new quarter, the Pride created another scoring chance off a penalty corner. The ball eventually found the stick of Amelia Thomas (Hopkinton, N.H.), and her shot eluded the Warrior defenders and goalie for her third goal of the season, cutting the Regis deficit in half. Regis drew two more penalty corners late in the first half, but nothing became of either of them, keeping the score in the Warriors' favor at halftime.
The Warriors put together a significant threat in the final minutes of the third period, but one shot was blocked and another one by Bryce Makula was turned away by Regis goalie Hope Winkin (Winslow, Maine). The Pride took control in the fourth period, drawing four penalty corners and taking four shots, but Warrior goalie Keira Integlia made crucial saves on all four chances to preserve the lead and eventually the victory.
Eastern Connecticut State outshot the Pride, 11-8, led by Sydney Hogan with three shots. Nora Buck (Shawmut, Maine) took four shots for Regis, including three shots on goal. Integlia finished with the four saves she made in the final quarter, while Winkin was credited with two saves during the rainy afternoon.
Regis (3-8) returns to league play, making the short trip to Lasell University to face the Lasers Saturday, Oct. 12, for a 12 p.m. start. Lasell will enter the match at 5-7 overall after a 3-2 overtime victory over Clark Tuesday.