The Husson University and Bates College field hockey teams both picked up conference titles on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles in comeback fashion beat Thomas in overtime, while the Bobcats won their first NESCAC Championship by blanking Wesleyan.
At the Winkin Complex in Bangor- Husson rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Thomas College 3-2 in overtime on a goal from Faith Tillotson (Thornton Academy) to win the Central Maine Collegiate Field Hockey Conference Championship. It is the fifth straight conference title for the Eagles. The Terriers had taken a 2-0 lead on goals from Maci Freeman (Cony) in the second quarter, and on a penalty stroke by Kara Richards (Belfast) early in the third. Husson rallied back to even things on a rebound tally by Lauryn Brown (Orono) late in the third quarter, and Tessa Capozzoli off a penalty corner early in the fourth. The goal by Brown was assisted by Tillotson, and the marker by Capozzoli was assisted by Maddie Perkins (Winthtop). Perkins picked up her second helper on the overtime game winner by Tillotson 7:07 into the extra session. Eliya Drummond (Nokomis) made five saves for #2 seed Thomas who ends their season with a record of 14-6. Freshman Ella Duchette (Brunswick) made six stops for top seed Husson (8-7), who will now await word whether they are invited to compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship Tournament. It is the fifth straight overall title for the Eagles, and the second straight in the league known as the Central Maine Collegiate Field Hockey Conference.
At Ounjian Field in Medford, Massachusetts- #3 seed Bates College was outshot by #4 Wesleyan 26-6 in attempts (11-4 on goal), but was able to secure their first ever NESCAC Championship 2-0 on goals from Brooke Moloney-Kolenberg and Caroline Nowak along with an 11-save shutout in the cage from Ava Donohue. The Bobcats became the first team in the 26-year history of the NESCAC to record three straight shutouts in the conference tournament. Moloney-Kolenberg scored the game winner at 7:30 of the first quarter unassisted. Nowak tallied her goal late in the second in the 26th minute off assists from Moloney-Kolenberg and Summer Gordon. Bates (15-3) is headed back to the NCAA Division III Tournament for a third straight year, and got a top four seed in the 28-team field. They also received a first round bye for the first time in program history and will host either Stevens Institute of Technology (New Jersey) or Amherst in a second round match in Lewiston on Saturday, November 15th at 11 a.m. The 15 wins for the Bobcats is a new program record. The Cardinals drop to 14-4 and got two saves from Audrey Pace. Wesleyan got an at-large bid and will play a first round road game against Marywood University (Pennsylvania) on Wednesday.
Photos in this story courtesy of Husson University and Bates College Athletics
