NEWPORT, R.I. - The Salve Regina University field hockey team scored the first two goals of the contest before holding on for a 2-1 victory over the University of New England during a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) contest at Gaudet Field on Saturday afternoon. The win was the fourth straight for the Seahawks who now improve to 7-4 overall while evening their conference record at 2-2. The Nor'easters slip below .500 with the loss, falling to 5-6 on the season, including a 2-2 mark in CCC play.

Senior Kelly Burke (Georgetown, Mass.) notched the first goal of the contest while freshman Abigail Tepper (Foxboro, Mass.) scored the game-winner for the Seahawks. Freshman Kelly Corey (Groton, Mass.) and junior Lisa Bucci (Irvington, N.Y.) each dished-out an assist, while sophomore Murphy McCann (Westerly, R.I.) made a game-high six saves to earn the win in net.

Junior Brittany Liptak (Westfield, Mass.) scored the lone goal for the Nor'easters, while classmate Casey Clark (Bethlehem, N.H.) collected the team's only assist.

The Seahawks took the lead in the 27th minute of play when Corey blocked a free hit by UNE and quickly fed a pass to Burke who sent a blast past the Nor'easters' goalie to put Salve Regina on top, 1-0.

The one-goal lead held up until halftime, with both teams tied in shots (3-3) and UNE holding a slight 6-4 edge in corners.

In the 48th minute, Bucci broke down the right side, drew the last UNE defender and then centered a pass to the trailing Tepper who slapped a shot into the back of the box for what turned out to be the game-winning goal, giving SRU a 2-0 advantage.

The Nor'easters stormed back in the 56th minute when Clark ripped a shot, collected her own rebound, and then fed a pass inside to Liptak who quickly slapped the ball passed the goalie to cut the SRU lead in half, 2-1.

UNE made things interesting down to the final moments, earning two corners in the final 45 seconds before the Salve Regina defense managed to gain control and seal the 2-1 victory.

The Nor'easters return to action on Tuesday, hosting Nichols at 4 p.m., while the Seahawks will take to the field on Wednesday when they travel to face Gordon at 3 p.m.