SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Roger Williams University field hockey team delivered when it mattered most, knocking off No. 2 Western New England, 2-1, in overtime to secure its place in the Conference of New England (CNE) Championship game.
After falling to the Golden Bears, 3-1, earlier this season in Springfield, the Hawks (15-6) responded with a resilient performance on the road, overcoming an early deficit before securing the game-winning goal in overtime. Junior McKenzie Foley (Hanover, Mass.) and sophomore Brodie Loveland (West Milford, N.J.) each found the back of the cage for Roger Williams, while senior Anna Kruggel (Scituate, Mass.) and Foley each contributed an assist.
Foley and Loveland Lead Hawks' Offensive Charge
Western New England struck first just 3:02 into the opening quarter, taking an early 1-0 advantage. The Hawks responded by generating offensive pressure throughout the remainder of the first half, creating multiple scoring opportunities and outshooting the Golden Bears, 8-4, in the opening quarter.
Roger Williams found its breakthrough late in the second quarter. Following a penalty corner opportunity, Foley connected with the equalizer at the 28:47 mark, finishing a feed from sophomore Brodie Loveland to even the contest at 1-1 heading into halftime.
The Hawks continued to apply pressure throughout the second half, holding Western New England without a shot in the fourth quarter while creating several opportunities of their own. Despite outshooting the Golden Bears, 32-6, through regulation, the contest remained deadlocked at 1-1, sending the two teams into overtime.
Loveland's Overtime Winner Sends Hawks Into CNE Championship
With the season on the line, Roger Williams needed just 1:55 into overtime to find the decisive goal.
After generating an early opportunity in the extra period, the Hawks capitalized at the 61:55 mark when Kruggel connected with Loveland, who buried her second goal of the afternoon to send Roger Williams into celebration and secure the 2-1 victory.
Loveland finished with one goal and five shots, bringing her season total to 13, while Foley added a goal and an assist. Kruggel also contributed an assist, and junior goalkeeper Meili Raspante (Cotuit, Mass.) turned aside four shots in goal to help anchor the Hawks defensively.
Roger Williams finished with a commanding 32-6 advantage in shots and a 13-2 edge in penalty corners. The Hawks also limited the Golden Bears to just two shots over the final three quarters and overtime combined.
What's Next?
The Hawks advance to the Conference of New England Championship game, where they will travel to Beverly, Mass., on Saturday, November 7, to take on No. 1 Endicott.
The championship matchup presents another opportunity for Roger Williams to make history against the Gulls after falling to Endicott, 2-1, in last year's CNE Championship. However, the Hawks have already demonstrated they can compete with the top-ranked Gulls, earning a thrilling 2-1 double-overtime victory earlier this season at Bayside Field.
With a championship on the line, Roger Williams will look to carry the momentum from its overtime upset of Western New England into Saturday's showdown as the Hawks look to capture the CNE Championship.
