MIDDLETOWN, R.I. -- The Salve Regina University field hockey team built a four-goal halftime advantage and held on through a furious second-half rally Tuesday afternoon, defeating Russell Sage, 4-3, on opening day at Gaudet Field.
The Seahawks established an early lead scoring twice in the opening seven minutes.
Reese Interrante (Hopkinton, Mass.) opened the scoring just 3:30 into the contest, and doubled the advantage less than three minutes later as Salve Regina seized a 2-0 lead.
Salve continued to apply pressure throughout the second quarter,
Sofia Irish (Wareham, Mass.) struck midway through the frame to add to the tally. The offensive pressure continued late in the half.
Deirdre McKiernan (Glastonbury, Conn.) scored her fist goal as a Seahawk sending Salve Regina into halftime with a commanding 4-0 lead.
Russell Sage came out with energy after halftime, cutting into the deficit with two goals in the third quarter. The Gators continued to press in the final period, eventually pulling within one when the team converted a penalty stroke with just over six minutes remaining. The Seahawks refused to surrender and held on to the one-goal lead to end the contest and pick up a win on opening day.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salve Regina 4, Russell Sage 3
Records: Salve Regina (1-0,0-0 NEWMAC), Russell Sage (0-1,0-0 Empire 8)
NOTEWORTHY:
- The Seahawks controlled much of the opening half statistically holding a 12-8 edge in shots and earning three penalty corners to Sage's none.
- Seahawk goalkeeper Siany Ortez (Attleboro, Mass.) came up with 11 saves over the 60 minutes, including several important stops during Sage's second-half surge.
- Salve Regina continued to create opportunities and finished the afternoon with a 26-21 advantage in total shots and a 9-8 edge in penalty corners.
ON THE HORIZON:
The Seahawks will be back at Gaudet Field on Saturday, September 5, to host Lasell College.
