October 24, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Northampton, MA:  The Pioneers earned a seventh seed in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Field Hockey Championship this evening with their 3-2 overtime defeat of Clark University.

            Although Smith dominated play for most of the game, it was the Cougars who put the first goal on the board with 27:48 remaining in the first half when Kim Whittington (Stoughton, MA) found first year Lauren Blake (Oakland, ME). The Pioneers tied it up 19 minutes later as Alex Janos (Hillsborough, NJ) fed the ball to Mary Kate Long (Boylston, MA) who found the net.

            Smith wasted no time taking a 2-1 lead in the second half as first year Rebecca Capute (Easton, MD) drilled one home but the Cougars fought back and forced the game into overtime on Blake’s second goal of the night and the defensive play of goalkeeper Kaitlin Kelley (Guilford, CT). With 13:29 remaining in regulation, Smith was awarded a penalty stroke when Kelley smothered the ball. Kelley made a great save on the stroke but the Pioneers were given a retake as she was called for a violation for not having her feet on the endline. Smith’s Long took the retake and lifted the ball to the top left corner of the goal but Kelley made another outstanding save.

            The Pioneers scored the game winner on another penalty stroke with 2:35 remaining in the first overtime. After a scramble in front of Clark’s goal, Kelley was once again called for smothering the ball. Janos converted the shot for Smith to take the 3-2 win. With the victory, Smith improves to 6-10 overall and 3-5 in the NEWMAC while Clark falls to 4-12 overall and 1-7 in conference competition.

                                             1          2          OT       F
Smith (6-10, 3-5)                     1          1          1          3
Clark (4-12, 1-7)                      1          1          0          2

First Half scoring:
C – 27:48 Lauren Blake (Kim Whittington)
S – 8:30 Mary Kate Long (Alex Janos)
Second Half: 
S- 28:12 Rebecca Capute
C – 16:54 Lauren Balke
First OT:
S – 2:35 Alex Janos     

Keepers: S – Margaret Winter, 82:25 mins, 2 GA, 1 save
Cl – Kaitlin Kelley, 82:25 mins, 3 GA, 10 saves

SOG – S -14; Cl – 7
Corners: S-19; Cl -1