Hanson Scores in Field Hockey's Late Loss Against Wheaton
Paige Hanson
Wheaton 2, WPI 1
Worcester, MA --- Cara Cusson (Ashfield, MA) tipped in a shot following a penalty corner with just 51 seconds remaining to give Wheaton a dramatic 2-1 victory over host WPI in NEWMAC field hockey action on Tuesday evening. With the result, the Lyons improve their record to 6-5 overall and 1-1 in conference play. WPI slips to 7-4 and 2-1 in NEWMAC action.
Cusson's heroics capped a well-played game by both squads. The freshman was able to get a stick on an Ashley English (Watertown, MA) laser and deflect it just past a WPI player into the lower right hand corner of the goal.
It marked the second goal of the game for the Lyons off a perfectly executed penalty corner. Trailing 1-0 in the 27th minute, Alex Block (Saratoga, CA) began the play with the insertion while Margaux Bolte's (Belmont, MA) stick stop set up Alisa Ardito's (Branford, MA) third goal of the season.
WPI dented the scoring column first when Paige Hanson (East Hartford, CT) scored in the 17th minute. Sasha Marokhovsky (Upton, MA) starting the scoring chance when her shot was saved by Wheaton goalie Andrea Bagley (Foxboro, MA). After a wild scramble, Hanson deposited the ball into the back of the net for her first collegiate goal.
The first half was even all the way around with each team totaling five shots and four corners. The Engineers enjoyed a 7-2 edge in shots after the intermission while Wheaton took five of the eight second half corners.
Bagley played well for the visitors. The junior netminder recorded eight saves on the night. WPI goalkeeper Betsy Ray (Simsbury, CT) registered a pair of stops while senior Maggie Elbag (Rutland, MA) was credited with a defensive save midway through the first half.
Both teams are back in action on Saturday with NEWMAC contests. WPI will entertain Mount Holyoke at 11am while Wheaton travels to Springfield for a 1pm game.