Becker Advances to NECC Field Hockey Championship Match after Defeating Wheelock 4-1
LEICESTER, Mass.- The #1 seeded Becker Hawks defeated the #4 seeded Wheelock Wildcats 4-1 in the first match of the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) 2008 Field Hockey Championships in semifinal action today at Alumni Field on the campus of Becker College.
2008 NECC Player of the Year Kristal Swiderski (Warren, Mass.) scored a hat trick, to help glide Becker past Wheelock.
The Hawks scored 4:23 into game when 2008 NECC Rookie of the Year Victoria Sirchia (Goshen, Conn.) fed Swiderski near the left post, for the 1-0 lead. The Wildcats tied the game when Kelsey McAuliffe (Groveland, Mass.) squeezed a shot between the pads of Becker goalkeeper Ciara Lawrence (Costa Mesa, Calif.), 2008 NECC Goalie of the Year. With the score knotted 1-1 at the half, the Wildcats made it clear that they were not backing down to the Hawks.
In the 2nd Half, Swiderski showed why she was elected to the All-Conference Team earlier in today. Two minutes into the half, Swiderski received a pass in front of the net, turned once to the right, then back to left, before slapping it into the net for the 2-1 lead. Swiderski all but clinched the Hawks place in the finals when she drove past the Wheelock defense, scoring her 3rd goal of the game. Katlyn Eisele (Walton, NY) added an insurance goal in the 52nd minute to complete the scoring for the Hawks.
Wheelock goalkeeper Meredith Race (Marion, Mass.) made nine saves in a losing effort. Wheelock finished the season with a record of 4-15. Becker goalkeeper Lawrence made four saves in a winning effort, improving the Hawks to 11-9. Becker will host the winner of #2 Daniel Webster and #3 Elms in the New England Collegiate Conference Finals on Saturday at Alumni Field. The championship game is currently scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start time.
Soccer
Game Summary (Final)
Wheelock College vs Becker (10/28/08 at Leicester, MA)
Wheelock College (4-15) vs. Becker (11-9)
Date: 10/28/08 Attendance: 97
Weather: Rainy
Goals by
period 1
2 Total
-------------------------------
Wheelock College.... 1 0 - 1
Becker.......................1 3 - 4
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 4:23 BCFH Kristal Swiderski (Victoria Sirchia)
2. 28:20 WCFH Kelsey McAuliffe (Milbrey Hendrix)
3. 37:01 BCFH Kristal Swiderski (unassisted)
4. 51:58 BCFH Kristal Swiderski (unassisted)
5. 52:04 BCFH Katlyn Eisele (Victoria Sirchia)
Shots: Wheelock College 6, Becker 20
Saves: Wheelock College 9 (Meredith Race 9), Becker 4 (Ciara
Lawrence 4)
Story Courtesy of:
Matt Tittle, Sports Information Director
Becker College
774-354-0485
www.BeckerHawks.com
