SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Oct. 22, 2011) – Led by Tricia Chase and Shara Robertson, the Mount Holyoke College field hockey team celebrated senior day with a 2-0 triumph over Clark University this afternoon at the Mount Holyoke Turf Field. It was the 150th victory for longtime head coach Andy Whitcomb in her storied career with the Lyons.
With the win, Mount Holyoke clinched a spot in the NEWMAC Tournament. The Lyons will receive a first round bye with a victory over Springfield in their final regular season outing next Saturday.
Both squads went scoreless until the 45:58 mark, when Chase took a Robertson feed from the corner and ripped a shot past senior goalkeeper Kate McGrath to put the hosts in front 1-0.
Mount Holyoke took advantage of another penalty corner opportunity to extend its cushion to 2-0 in the 67th minute. This time, McGrath saved Chase's initial shot before Robertson scooped up the rebound and knocked in her team-leading 16th goal of the year.
The Lyons received an outstanding performance on the defensive end by junior Angelica Pascual, who helped hold Clark sniper Mel Melkonian scoreless for just the third time this season. The junior entered the contest as the NEWMAC leader in both points and goals.
Mount Holyoke finished with overwhelming advantages in both shots (27-8) and corners (15-1).
Senior goalkeeper Katie Gibson made all seven of her saves in the second half. She was at her best in the 58th minute, when she turned away a pair of great chances by sophomore forward Talia Fish and Melkonian. It was Gibson's fourth shutout of the year and 16th of her outstanding career.
McGrath collected 10 saves for the Cougars.
Prior to the contest, Chase, Robertson, Gibson, Taylor Hedges, Jess Fajardo, Kirsti Wiemokly, Annie Butts, Kiki Boyles and Liz Holsing were honored for their dedication to the Mount Holyoke program over the past four seasons.
The Lyons (10-4, 5-2 NEWMAC) will return to action on Tuesday, when they host Westfield State University for a non-conference clash beginning at 7:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Clark (8-5, 2-4 NEWMAC) will resume its league slate at home against Wheaton College tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.
Photos by Leila Quinn '12
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