PLYMOUTH, N.H. (Nov. 13, 2011) – Led by sophomore Stephanie Slysz, the third-seeded Mount Holyoke College field hockey team upset top-seeded Plymouth State University 4-2 in the finals of the ECAC Division III New England Tournament this afternoon at Arold Field. The forward recorded two goals and an assist for the Lyons, who were crowned ECAC Champions for the second time in program history.
Mount Holyoke also received a boost from Tournament Most Outstanding Player Shara Robertson, who collected a goal and an assist. Her 25 goals and 18 assists this season were both the most in program history. Over the course of the week, the senior forward racked up 13 points on five goals and three assists. She will graduate as the top offensive player to suit up for the Lyons.
With the win, Mount Holyoke closed out its outstanding 2011 campaign with an overall record of 16-5 on the year. The Lyons went 6-2 in league play to secure a share of the NEWMAC Regular Season Championship. Their 244 points, 92 goals and 60 assists were all the most in program history for a single season.
Mount Holyoke was playing 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 finished the year as winners of eight of their last nine matches.
First year Kirsten Kilburn blasted in a Robertson injection from the left side to put Mount Holyoke in front 1-0 ten minutes into the contest. The midfielder closed out her impressive rookie season with 16 goals.
Plymouth State got on the board at the 15:40 mark, when junior forward Olivia Colborn finished off a scramble in front to tie things up.
The Lyons regained the lead just 39 second later on Slysz's first tally of the afternoon. Junior forward Angelica Pascual set up the goal with a crossing pass from the right side.
Refusing to go away, the Panthers once again evened the score in the 31st minute, when sophomore midfielder Lauren Carroll re-directed a penalty corner shot by Colborn.
Mount Holyoke pulled away with a pair of unanswered goals in the second half.
The first came from Slysz, who knocked in a rebound four minutes into the period to put the Lyons in front for good. Slysz closed out her sophomore season with 11 goals and 10 assists.
Robertson then redirected a Slysz shot to close out the scoring at the 49:44 mark.
Plymouth State (18-4, 10-1 LEC) finished with advantages in shots (16-15) and corners (14-12).
Senior goalkeeper Katie Gibson capped off her career with an eight-save performance.
At the other end, junior Hilary Lemelin turned away nine shots for the Panthers.
