WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The Husson University field hockey team mounted a late comeback attempt but fell just short, dropping a 3-2 decision to Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Friday evening at USJ FH Field in the team's season opener.
The Eagles (0-1) came out aggressively, putting three shots toward the Saint Joseph (2-0) goal in the opening three minutes. Senior Faith Tillotson had two early opportunities, including a shot that was saved by Saint Joseph goalkeeper Jaci Felix-Hull, while senior Tessa Capozzoli's attempt went wide.
Husson broke through at the 5:53 mark when sophomore Maddie Morin scored her first goal of her career to give the Eagles an early 1-0 advantage. Husson continued to pressure the hosts, but Saint Joseph answered just over three minutes later when Juliana Meglio tied the game at 1-1 with an assist from Grace Kociszewski.
The score remained tied through the end of the opening quarter, with Husson recording five shots in the period and forcing Felix-Hull to make two saves. Sophomore Ella Duchette also made one save for the Eagles.
Saint Joseph took control early in the second quarter, with Alexa Maser scoring at 17:53 to put the hosts ahead 2-1. Grace Kociszewski then extended the lead to 3-1 at 24:42, with Charlotte Kaminski providing the assist.
Husson continued to generate opportunities before halftime, earning penalty corners from Tillotson and putting another shot on goal from Morin, but Felix-Hull made the save to preserve Saint Joseph's two-goal advantage heading into halftime.
The third quarter saw Husson continue to battle defensively while looking for a way back into the contest. The Eagles earned a penalty corner midway through the period, while Saint Joseph applied pressure with five penalty corners of its own. Duchette and the Husson defense kept the deficit at two heading into the fourth quarter.
Husson came out firing in the final quarter. The Eagles earned four penalty corners in the opening six minutes, with junior Mary Hamblin having a shot blocked and Morin sending another attempt wide.
The sustained pressure finally paid off at the 52:36 mark. Morin found the back of the cage for her second goal of the evening, with Capozzoli providing the assist, cutting the Saint Joseph lead to 3-2 with just over seven minutes remaining.
The Eagles continued to push for the equalizer throughout the final minutes, but Saint Joseph's defense held firm. Husson was unable to find the tying goal before the final horn, as the hosts held on for the 3-2 victory.
Morin led Husson with two goals and four shots, including three shots on goal, while Tillotson recorded three shots. Capozzoli added an assist and one shot. Duchette finished with two saves in goal.
The Eagles finished with nine shots and seven penalty corners, including four corners in the fourth quarter.
Husson returns to action tomorrow when it concludes its weekend trip to Connecticut with a matchup against Eastern Connecticut State University at 12 p.m.
