BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University field hockey team battled back to force overtime against MIT on Wednesday afternoon at Bayside Field, but the Engineers found the game-winning goal in the extra period to hand the Hawks a 3-2 defeat in their regular-season finale.
The loss leaves Roger Williams at 13-6 overall and 5-1 in Conference of New England (CNE) play, while MIT improves to 12-5 overall and finishes conference play undefeated at 8-0.
HAWKS STRIKE FIRST
Roger Williams opened the scoring at 8:44 in the first quarter when Emma Sheldon (Suffield, Conn.) found the back of the net off an assist from Maddy Monahan (Bristol, N.H.). The early goal gave the Hawks a 1-0 advantage and set the tone for a competitive opening period.
MIT responded late in the first quarter, as Grace Chrapowitzky scored at 14:45 off a feed from Ingrid Tomovski to even the score at 1-1.
MIT TAKES THE LEAD
Both teams continued to battle through the middle periods, with the Engineers eventually breaking the tie at 39:57 in the third quarter. Sammi Blocher converted a pass from Tomovski to give MIT a 2-1 lead heading into the final quarter.
Roger Williams continued to push offensively, looking for an opportunity to get back into the game and extend its regular-season finale.
LOVELAND FORCES OVERTIME
With time winding down in regulation, the Hawks found their equalizer. At 58:36, Brodie Loveland (West Milford, N.J.) scored off an assist from McKenzie Foley (Hanover, Mass.), bringing the contest to 2-2 and sending the game into overtime.
The late goal capped a determined effort from Roger Williams, which continued to create opportunities against the Engineers throughout the afternoon.
ENGINEERS SEAL IT IN OVERTIME
In the extra period, MIT found the decisive goal at 66:40 when Tomovski scored to secure the 3-2 victory for the Engineers.
Roger Williams finished with 20 shots, including seven on goal, and earned nine penalty corners. MIT recorded 21 shots, with eight on goal, and eight penalty corners. Hawks goalkeeper Meili Raspante (Cotuit, Mass.) finished with four saves.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Roger Williams will begin postseason play at home on Saturday, October 31, when the Hawks host No. 6 Nichols at Bayside Field in Bristol, R.I., for the first round of the Conference of New England Tournament.
