MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — The Salve Regina University field hockey team continued a strong start to the season Wednesday night, rallying from an early deficit to defeat Nichols College, 2-1, at Gaudet Field. After falling behind in the second quarter, the Seahawks responded with two goals in the second half to secure the comeback victory.
Salve controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, putting six shots on goal in the first quarter while holding Nichols to just two shots. The Seahawks continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, generating 10 more shots and earning two penalty corners.
Nichols managed to break through late in the second quarter, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime. Salve, however, remained relentless offensively, finishing the opening half with a 16-3 advantage in shots.
The Seahawks' pressure finally paid off early in the second half. Just 3:21 into the third quarter, Adelaide Baird (Springfield, Va.) found the back of the cage to pull Salve even at 1-1 Salve continued to attack, and the go-ahead goal arrived just over 11 minutes later. Sage Mauro (Woodbury, Conn.) scored just before the end of the third quarter, converting a setup from Reese Interrante (Hopkinton, Mass) to give the Seahawks their first lead of the night.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salve Regina 2, Nichols 1
Records: Salve Regina (5-2, 0-1 NEWMAC), Nichols (3-4, 1-1 CNE)
NOTEWORTHY:
- The Salve defense then protected the advantage through the fourth quarter. Siany Ortez (Attleboro, Mass.) made two saves on the night, while the Seahawks held Nichols without a shot in the final 15 minutes.
- Offensively, Salve was in control throughout, finishing with a commanding 37-5 advantage in shots, including a 20-3 edge in shots on goal. The Seahawks also earned seven penalty corners compared with just one for Nichols.
ON THE HORIZON:
On Saturday, September 26, the Seahawks will be on the road against NEWMAC counterpart Smith College at 1 p.m.
