ALLIE ROONEY ‘16
SPORTS EDITOR
Saturday, Sept. 20, the field hockey team suffered a 2-1 double overtime loss against Worcester Polytechnic Institute. It was the conference opener for the Pioneers, according to the Smith Pioneers website.
Senior defender Rebecca Meagher scored six minutes into the game off an assist from Kat Estes ’16 following a penalty corner. It was the first goal of the season for Meagher. Seven minutes later, host WPI tied up the game at one a piece. Despite being outshot 15-9 for the remainder of regulation, the Pioneers kept the game and tied, forcing overtime. Goalie Nora Demick ’16 helped the Pioneers by turning away many shots.
“There has been amazing work in practice and I can’t wait to see that get integrated into the game,” Demick said. “ We are starting to connect more as a team and our communication is getting better with every game.”
During the overtime periods, the Pioneers had 10 shots. With just over two minutes left, a WPI player was able to broke the defensive line and finished a shot that gave WPI the victory. Demick made five saves for Smith, while classmate Casey Rau ’16 took five shots, two that were on goal.
This was not the first time this season the Pioneers suffered an overtime loss. On Sept. 9, the Pioneers hosted Connecticut College. The game was a thriller, Smith scoring with just 15 minutes remaining in regulation time. The Pioneers were down 2-0 with just under 15 minutes to play. Marissa Vara ’16 cut the lead in half with under 10 minutes to play on an assist from classmate Casey Rau ’16. Then, with 5:48 to play, Julia Hamilton ’18 scored her first goal of the season to even the score at 2-2, according to the Smith Pioneers website.
Shortly into overtime, Connecticut College was able to register a goal that snapped the comeback story for the Pioneers. Nora Demick ’16 had 10 saves in goal for the Pioneers. Smith is currently 1-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The Pioneers will host NEWMAC opponent Wheaton College on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 12 p.m.
