Bangor, ME - The Eagle Field Hockey team won in thrilling fashion under the lights at the Winkin Complex on the campus of Husson University on Wednesday night. With the score tied 2-2, and the final minute ticking off the clock, a bouncing ball found the stick of Mariah Arno (Dover-Foxcroft, ME) who pounded it home for the game-winning score. 

Arno had a goal earlier in the game, along with an assist as well to finish the game with 5 points. The Sophomore teamed up her classmate and fellow forward, Sabrina Vaillancourt (Newport, ME) on each of the Husson scores as Vaillancourt finished with a goal and and assists on the night. Kristen Capen (Leeds, ME) turned in a gutty performance between the pipes, saving 10 while earning the victory. 

Vaillancourt got the scoring started thanks in large part to her tricky stick skills, and put the Eagles up 1-0 at the 19:49 mark. The Bobcats would answer back with no time left on the clock in the first half. A corner was initiated before the period ended, leaving an untimed play for Bates. Off the corner, Sarah Warden (North Andover, MA) found Caroline Falcone (New Canaan, CT) to tie the game at the half. 

In the second half, the Eagles regained the lead when Arno got her first just 2 minutes into the period. Husson got on the break quick, and a Vaillancourt pass found a streaking Mariah, who deked the goalie and pounded it into the plywood. 

Sarah Merullo (Essex, MA) tied the game again with over 25 minutes left to play, and the Bobcats had plenty of traffic in front of Capen on the play. Bates kept up the pressure in the half, out-shooting Husson 11-6 in the second half, but the Eagle defense stood strong in front of their goalie and kept it tied until their shot came. 

Husson had a pair of corners in the last two minutes and converted on their final scoring chance when Vaillancourt inserted a short corner, Arno collected the loose ball, scoring with just 48 seconds remaining. Bates tried to mount another come back, and had a chance late, but their was not enough time to overcome the late score, and the game went final with Husson victorious 3-2.

The Eagles take to the field again on Saturday when they travel to conference rival Lasell at 1:00 pm for their first NAC contest of 2011. Bates travels to Amherst, MA on Saturday to take on the Lord Jeffs at 11:00 am for their second NESCAC matchup of the year.