MANSFIELD, Conn. — The Husson University field hockey team mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback on Saturday afternoon, scoring twice over the final five minutes before falling 5-4 to Eastern Connecticut State University at Rick McCarthy Field.
Husson (0-2) finished even with Eastern Connecticut State (1-1) in total shots at 16 apiece, while putting 10 attempts on goal compared to nine for the Warriors.
The Eagles opened the scoring just 5:50 into the contest when senior Faith Tillotson found the back of the cage for her first goal of the season, giving Husson an early 1-0 advantage. Eastern Connecticut State answered with three goals over the remainder of the opening period to take a 3-1 lead into the second quarter.
Husson controlled much of the offensive pressure in the second period, outshooting the Warriors 7-2 and generating a pair of penalty corners. That pressure paid off at the 26:59 mark when freshman Sophia Larrabee scored her first goal of her collegiate career off an assist from sophomore Maddie Morin, cutting the Eagles' deficit to 3-2 heading into halftime.
Eastern Connecticut State created some separation in the third quarter, scoring twice to extend its advantage to 5-2. Husson sophomore goalkeeper Ella Duchette made a save during the period, while Tillotson put an attempt on cage late in the quarter that was turned aside.
The Eagles refused to go quietly in the fourth quarter.
After holding the Warriors scoreless for the period, Husson began its comeback following a penalty corner with under five minutes remaining. Junior Brianna Smith had a shot stopped at 55:21 before senior Elisa Picariello converted moments later at 55:59 off an assist from Tillotson, trimming the deficit to 5-3.
Just 1:37 later, the Eagles struck again. Sophomore Lauren Millett scored her first career goal at 57:36, with Picariello picking up the assist, pulling Husson within one at 5-4 with 2:24 remaining.
The Eagles continued to push for the equalizer over the final minutes, but Eastern Connecticut State held on to secure the one-goal victory.
Tillotson and Picariello each finished with a goal and an assist to lead Husson offensively, while Larrabee and Millett also scored. Morin added an assist and recorded three shots, two of which were on goal, while Picariello also finished with three shots. Tillotson and Millett each put both of their attempts on cage.
Defensively, freshman Grace Allen recorded a defensive save for the Eagles. Duchette played the opening 45 minutes in goal and made two saves, while freshman Dominique Giroux-Paré played the final quarter and stopped the lone shot she faced.
Husson returns to the field on Tuesday when it heads to Waterville to battle Colby College in a contest that is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
