SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Nov. 11, 2011) – The Mount Holyoke College field hockey team moved one step closer to its second ECAC Tournament Championship with a dramatic 2-1 double overtime triumph over the second-seeded University of New England today at Arold Field. Senior forward Shara Robertson scored both goals for the third-seeded Lyons, who improved to 15-5 on the year. They will face off against top-seeded Plymouth State University for the title tomorrow at noon.
Plymouth State advanced with a convincing 4-1 victory over fourth-seeded Bridgewater State University in today's first semifinal. The Panthers were awarded home field advantage throughout the tournament after advancing to the Little East Conference Championship last weekend. They have outscored their opponents 67-25 en route to an impressive 18-3 mark thus far this season. Last fall, they captured their third ECAC title with a 2-1 victory over Bridgewater State in the finals.
Mount Holyoke is participating in the ECAC Tournament for the fifth time in program history. The Lyons were crowned champions in 2002 and also made appearances in 1999, 2000 and 2005. They will enter tomorrow's match as winners of seven of their last eight matches.
This will be the first meeting between the programs since the semifinal round of the 2005 ECAC Tournament, when Mount Holyoke edged the Panthers 3-2. The two teams have never faced off during the regular season.
Breaking Down the Lyons
Mount Holyoke (15-5, 6-2 NEWMAC) has used a balanced attack to outscore its opponents 86-24 thus far this season. The Lyons' 88 goals and 233 points are the most in program history. Senior forward Shara Robertson has set the tone with a school-record 65 points on 24 goals and 17 assists. With her dramatic tally against Springfield last week, she became the program's all-time leader in career points (156) and goals (66). First year midfielder Kirsten Kilburn has made an immediate impact in her rookie campaign at Mount Holyoke, racking up 15 goals and nine assists. Meanwhile, senior forward Jess Fajardo has scored 16 times, and midfielder Aurora Rougeau has dished out nine assists. The Lyons have also received a boost from sophomore forward Stephanie Slysz, who has chipped in with nine goals and nine assists. On the defensive end, senior goalkeeper Katie Gibson has posted a goals against average of 1.23 and a save percentage of .798. She has collected five shutouts this year and 17 in her career. Kilburn and senior Tricia Chase have provided support with a six defensive saves apiece.
Breaking Down the Panthers
Plymouth State (18-3, 10-1 LEC) has outscored its opponents 67-25 en route to an impressive 18-3 mark thus far this season. The Panthers fell 2-0 to Keene State College in the Little East Conference Championship last week. They captured the ECAC Tournament crown last fall. The majority of Plymouth State's goals have come from forwards Jackie Morin, Olivia Colborn and Nikki Garvey this season. Morin has set the tone with 40 points on 17 goals and six assists. Meanwhile, Colborn and Garvey have scored 14 and 13 times, respectively. Senior midfielder Lauren Bergeron has passed out 10 helpers to round things out for the Panthers on the offensive end. Hilary Lemelin has logged 1,454 minutes between the pipes for Plymouth State. She owns a goals against average of 1.11 and a save percentage of .750. The junior has posted six shutouts.
