October 6, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

 Smith Field Hockey Defeats WPI on Penalty Strokes

 Northampton, MA:  After 70 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of overtime, the Pioneers of Smith defeated WPI 1-0 after one round of penalty strokes (3-1). 

           WPI opened the game dominating play taking six shots on goal in the first half to the Pioneers one, but the remainder of regulation belonged to Smith as they outshot the Engineers five to one.  Both teams played aggressive ball in the overtime periods with Smith holding the advantage on shots 6-4. Each team had key opportunities to score but the defense stepped it up deflecting shots and covering the goals. Senior goalkeeper Megan Maguire (Hatfield, MA) made 8 saves for the Pioneers while Jessica Farrell (Worcester, MA)  stopped eight shots for WPI. Coach Judy Strong was pleased with her team’s performance stating, “After coming off two losses last week, tonight’s game was key in the players regaining confidence. During the week we practiced strokes and it paid off in tonight’s win.”

            With the win, Smith improves to 6-4 overall and 1-1 in NEWMAC competition while WPI falls to 5-5 and 0-2 in the NEWMAC.  The Pioneers will be in action again on Saturday when they host MIT at 1 p.m.

                                       1          2          1OT     2OT     F

Smith (6-4, 1-1)                 0          0          0          0          1
WPI (5-5, 0-2)                   0          0          0          0          0

Penalty strokes:
S- Emily Downs, Alex Janos, Catharine Campbell
WPI – Stacey Mohr

SOG: S – 12; WPI – 11
Penalty Corners: S – 15; WPI – 8

Goalkeepers: S – Megan Maguire, 0 GA, 100 mins, (8 saves)
WPI – Jessica Farrell (1 GA, 100 mins (7 saves)