MANSFIELD, Conn. — The Salve Regina University field hockey team came out firing Wednesday afternoon, scoring twice in the opening four minutes before adding a late insurance goal to secure a 3-1 victory over Eastern Connecticut State at Rick McCarthy Field.
Just 2:24 into the contest, Jordyn Pineau found the back of the cage off a feed from Elliot Lund to put Salve ahead 1-0. Less than two minutes later, Molly Kearney doubled the advantage with her third goal of the season, giving the Seahawks a 2-0 cushion after a blistering opening stretch.
Eastern Connecticut answered late in the second quarter, cutting the Salve lead to 2-1 heading into halftime. The Warriors continued to generate pressure in the third quarter, but Siany Ortez and the Salve defense held firm to keep the Seahawks in front.
After a scoreless third quarter, Salve put the game away in the fourth. With just 3:41 remaining, Pineau converted a penalty stroke for her second goal of the afternoon, restoring the Seahawks' two-goal advantage and putting the finishing touch on the 3-1 victory.
Pineau delivered a standout performance in the win, scoring twice on three shots, including the decisive penalty-stroke goal. Kearney added a goal on five shots, putting all five of her attempts on target, while Lund contributed an assist and led the Seahawks with six shots.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salve Regina 3, Eastern Connecticut State 1
Records: Salve Regina (6-3, 0-2 NEWMAC), Eastern Connecticut State (5-4, 0-0 LEC)
NOTEWORTHY:
- Salve finished with a 17-9 advantage in shots and put 11 attempts on goal compared with six for Eastern Connecticut.
- The Seahawks also generated five penalty corners, including four in the fourth quarter, while limiting the Warriors to just one shot in the final period.
ON THE HORIZON:
On Saturday, October 3, at 12 p.m. the Seahawks will host the Wellesley College Blue at Gaudet Field in NEWMAC action.
