NEWTON, MA - Sarah Bartell '12 (Exeter, NH) broke a 1-1 stalemate with a score at the 66:04 mark to help Saint Joseph's (14-3, 7-0 NAC) defeat Lasell (7-10, 3-4) in North Atlantic Conference Field Hockey action on Sunday afternoon.
With the victory, the Monks closed out the regular season as the only undefeated team in the conference and will enter the NAC Tournament, which begins on October 31st, as the top seed. The #1 and #2 seeds receive a bye in the quarterfinal round.
Lasell took the first lead 13:13 into the contest when Sarah Jannuzzi (Glen, NH) sent a penalty corner chance to teammates, then attempted two shots of her own. It was Justine McComb (Bloomfield, CT) that grabbed a loose rebound and knocked it into the back of the cage.
In the 19th minute, Kayla Nowell (Bridgeton, ME) dodged defenders on her way to the Lasers' net to try and even the score for the Monks. However, Laser goalkeeper Christine Thornton (Canton, MA) made a fantastic save between the pipes, kicking away the opportunity.
Just one minute later, Julia Ostrowski '10 (Albany, NY) did equalize the scoreboard however, with a similar play to Nowell's, yet this time the Monks forward defeated Thornton with a goal, at 17:57. Courtney Rague '11 (Old Orchard Beach, ME) was credited with an assist on the play. The teams broke for the half in a 1-1 stalemate.
The second half proved to be an even matchup as the Lasers and the Monks battled to break the deadlock. Neither team was without chances, yet the defense on each side provided excellent coverage.
Thornton was particularly strong between the bars, taking away multiple close-calls for the Monks. St. Joe's took 10 shots in the half, while Lasell attempted six, but neither team was able to capitalize.
Then, with just 3:56 remaining in regulation, Sarah Bartell (Exeter, NH) placed a short range shot into the left corner of the net to secure the Monks perfect NAC record. Bartell picked up the ball off a jumble in front of the Lasell net.
SJC goalkeeper Meaghan Johnson (Portland, ME/Cheverus) turned away 10 Laser shots en route to the Monks seventh league victory, and 14th overall win. Thornton produced 11 saves in net for the Lasers.
Lasell ends the day at 7-10 overall and 3-4 in the conference. The Lasers will host Framingham State College on Wednesday, October 28th at 3:30 PM, on Grellier Field, in their final regular season matchup.
MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDED BY LASELL COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
St. Joseph's (Me.) (14-3) vs. Lasell (7-10)
Date: Oct 25, 2009 Attendance: 75
Weather: Sunny, breezy
Goals by period 1 2
Tot
-------------------------------
St. Joseph's (Me.).. 1 1 - 2
Lasell.............. 1 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 13:13 LAS Justine McComb (unassisted)
2. 17:57 SJMFH Kayla Nowell (unassisted)
3. 66:04 SJMFH Sarah Bartell (unassisted)
Shots: St. Joseph's (Me.) 23, Lasell 14
Saves: St. Joseph's (Me.) 10 (Meaghan Johnson 10), Lasell 11
(Christine Thornton 11)
