WPI 1, Clark 0 (Penalty Strokes)
Box
Score
Worcester, MA --- For the second
consecutive year, WPI edged Clark University in a New England
Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) field hockey game on
Saturday afternoon at Granger Field. The Engineers (7-3, 2-0)
remain undefeated in conference play with a 1-0 victory over Clark
in a game decided by penalty strokes. The Cougars slip to 4-5
overall and 0-1 in the NEWMAC.
Last year, WPI defeated Clark, 3-2, in overtime.
The two teams battled through regulation and two overtime
periods before WPI claimed the victory with a 6-5 advantage in the
shootout.
Tied after two rounds of penalty strokes, Clark fired its final
shot just high of the cage. That set the stage for the
deciding stroke opportunity, where first-year Danielle
Antonellis (Duxbury, MA) notched the game-winner.
Both teams had quality chances in the second half, but couldn't
put one past the respective goalies. WPI's Sarah
Tracy's (Oakland, ME) bid was stopped at close range by
keeper Kathryn Dawsey (Saratoga Springs, NY) at
48:20 and a shot by Precious Ra'Akbar (Baltimore,
MD) was turned aside on a stick save by Engineer goalie
Betsy Ray (Simsbury, CT) with 11 minutes
remaining.
Clark had the better of the opportunities in the first overtime
period. However, Meghan Lennon's (Charlton, MA)
attempt just inside the circle and a shot out front by
Chelsea Proulx (Franklin, NH) were both saved by
Ray.
Celena Dopart (Washington, DC) had a solid
chance for WPI, but swiped her shot just wide of the net with just
over six minutes left to play.
Clark outshot WPI, 4-3, in the first half, but the Engineers
held a slim 15-11 advantage for the game. WPI also held a 10-4
margin in penalty corners on the day.
Dawsey made eight saves for Clark, while Ray stopped seven shots
for WPI.
Both teams are in action on Tuesday. Clark will travel to
nationally ranked Springfield for a 7pm. tilt, while WPI will host
Wheaton at 7pm.
Release Courtesy Clark Sports Information
