By Carley Crain
@carley_crain12
Saturday afternoons call for NEWMAC conference games on Stagg Field. The women’s field hockey team, however, fell to nationally-ranked Babson, 6-0, and are now 3-8 on the season.
The first quarter opened with Babson on the offensive, scoring their first goal at the 12-minute mark after a strong hit by #23 Quinn Greer. The ball would remain mostly on the back half for the rest of the quarter, with a few fast breakaways from Springfield.
The defense stepped up big time in the first quarter, thanks to the goalie duo of Lyndsey DeLasho and Delayna Gallagher, who had a combination of five saves. The Pride’s offense started to pick up momentum towards the end of the first but wasn’t able to capitalize on their one penalty corner.
Babson opened the second quarter with a goal from a penalty corner by #10 Millie Brady, as they had several speedy breakaways that helped them get down the field. The rest of the quarter would remain scoreless, making it 2-0 going into halftime.
“I think the first half showed we were really excited and ready to play Babson,” said head coach Melissa Sharpe. “Babson is a really good conference opponent. Mentally we were definitely ready.”
The second half started with Springfield on the defensive. . At around the 12-minute mark into the third, Babson scored on a penalty stroke by Meara Hanyon, and then less than a minute later, Brady scored again for Babson. They would keep the momentum going, with another goal by Jessica Evans, making the score 5-0.
Towards the end of the third Springfield had a key breakaway by #8 Emma Robinson that resulted in their first corner of the quarter. The remaining five minutes of the third brought more offensive plays for Springfield, which ultimately resulted in multiple penalty corners. The rest of the third, however, resulted in no goals.
Springfield took control of the fourth quarter, as they opened right away with a penalty corner, but Babson would make it 6-0 after a goal by #1 Andrea Marguerite. The rest of the game would remain scoreless, making the final score 6-0.
“We have a youth clinic in the middle of the week to mix it up to do some community service as a team. But honestly, it’s just the small things we have been working on and executing offensive corners,” said Sharpe, when asked about what the team will work on this upcoming week.
Springfield will have a week off until their next game, which is at home on Saturday, October 16 at 1 p.m. vs Clark.
Photo: Joe Arruda/The Student