WATERVILLE, Maine — Senior Faith Tillotson scored twice and Maddie Morin added a fourth-quarter goal as the Husson University field hockey team battled Thomas College before falling 5-3 in the CMCFHC championship Sunday afternoon.
Thomas opened the scoring just 56 seconds into the contest when Tatiana Roque found the back of the net. The Eagles generated opportunities in response, earning three first-quarter penalty corners and receiving attempts from junior Mary Hamblin and senior Tessa Capozzoli.
The Terriers extended their lead at 11:10 when Samantha Thebarge scored off an assist from Maci Freeman, giving Thomas a 2-0 advantage after the opening quarter.
Sophomore Ella Duchette made two saves during a stretch of Thomas pressure in the second quarter before Thebarge added her second goal off another Freeman assist at 24:33.
Husson answered before halftime. Following a penalty corner, Tillotson scored an unassisted goal at 28:05 to cut the deficit to 3-1 heading into the break.
Thomas restored its three-goal advantage early in the third quarter when Freeman scored at 32:53, but the Eagles responded again. Tillotson converted a penalty stroke at 36:11 for her second goal of the afternoon, bringing Husson within 4-2.
Thebarge completed her hat trick just over a minute later, scoring off Freeman's third assist at 37:13 to give the Terriers a 5-2 lead.
The Eagles continued to battle in the fourth quarter, with Morin scoring at 46:53 to trim the margin to 5-3 with more than 13 minutes remaining.
Duchette kept Thomas off the scoreboard throughout the final quarter, making four saves. Husson earned a late penalty corner before Tillotson sent an attempt wide at 57:03, but the Eagles could not close the gap further.
Tillotson led Husson with four shots and scored on both of her attempts on goal. Morin put all three of her shots on target, while Hamblin, Capozzoli and freshman Morgan Hersey each added an attempt.
Duchette finished with eight saves over 60 minutes. Thomas held an 18-10 advantage in shots, including a 13-5 edge in shots on goal, and a 20-7 advantage in penalty corners.
Husson concludes its season with a 5-11 overall record after finishing 3-1 in conference play.
