BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University field hockey team saw its comeback effort fall short Tuesday afternoon, dropping a 3-1 non-conference decision to Worcester Polytechnic Institute at the Winkin Sports Complex.
Freshman Grace Allen provided the lone goal for the Eagles (4-8), while junior Mary Hamblin picked up an assist. Sophomore goalkeeper Ella Duchette finished with eight saves in the setback.
The opening quarter saw both teams battle for possession, with Husson generating the first scoring opportunity following a penalty corner from junior Brianna Smith in the fifth minute. Senior Tessa Capozzoli fired a shot that was blocked by the Engineers' defense.
WPI (7-6) responded with a flurry of chances midway through the period, but Duchette turned away attempts from Sanidi Waduthanthri and Amelia Geraci, while a shot from Kyra Duane struck the post. The Eagles held firm defensively to keep the contest scoreless through the opening 15 minutes.
The Engineers broke through in the second quarter when Sophie Papamechail found the back of the cage at the 24:56 mark to give WPI a 1-0 advantage.
WPI doubled its lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a penalty corner opportunity in the final minute of the second quarter. Following a blocked attempt by Ella Reeners, the Engineers maintained possession, allowing Reeners to score off an assist from Ava Cortis with 39 seconds remaining before the break.
Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Husson answered early in the third quarter to cut the deficit in half.
The Eagles earned a penalty corner at the 37:00 mark, with Smith initiating the opportunity. Just 10 seconds later, Allen converted off a feed from Hamblin, bringing Husson within a goal at 2-1 with 7:50 remaining in the third quarter.
WPI responded with sustained offensive pressure, forcing Duchette to make saves on attempts from Ava Walker and Waduthanthri late in the period.
The Engineers eventually restored their two-goal advantage with just 19 seconds remaining in the third quarter when Cortis scored off an assist from Reeners at the 44:41 mark, pushing the lead to 3-1.
Husson continued to battle defensively throughout the final quarter, with Duchette recording three additional saves to keep the Eagles within striking distance. However, the WPI defense prevented Husson from generating another shot attempt over the final 15 minutes to secure the 3-1 victory.
WPI finished with a 20-2 advantage in shots, including an 11-1 edge in shots on goal, while also holding a 6-2 advantage in penalty corners.
Allen and Capozzoli accounted for Husson's two shot attempts, while Duchette played all 60 minutes in goal, making eight saves. WPI goalkeeper Keira Stout earned the victory without recording a save.
The Eagles are back in action on Oct. 21 at the University of New England at 5 p.m.
