WORCESTER, Mass. – Powered by a four-goal second half, the Mount Holyoke field hockey team bested Clark University, 7-3, in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both squads. The victory moves MHC to 3-2 overall, while the Cougars shoulder their first loss of 2018 to move to 4-1.
The Lyons jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over Clark in the first half as rookies Kass Lawrence (Holyoke, Mass.) and Margaret Robb (Summit, N.J.), along with senior Kristina Ramsden (Florence, Mass.) posted back-to-back goals at the 7:58, 12:46 and 14:47 marks respectively (3-0).
With 14 minutes on the clock sophomore Chase Collier (Lisbon, Maine) found her classmate Anna Joyce (Hopkinton, Mass.) in the circle and Joyce tipped the ball across the front of the net to senior Olivia Barksdale (Fort Washington, Md.) who swept the ball in to bring the Cougars within two, 3-1.
Mount Holyoke kicked off the second half with a goal just six minutes in. The Lyons were awarded a penalty corner and senior captain Mirjam Keochakian (Hamburg, Germany) was able to find space behind Clark net minder, Dani Michaud (Providence, R.I.) for the 4-1 go-ahead off a feed from Ramsden. Two minutes later the Lyons struck again, as Robb connected on her second of the game off an assist from Ramsden (5-1).
The Cougars responded quickly as they carried the ball into the Lyons' defensive end and Barksdale was able to slip the ball behind junior goalkeeper Morgan Turner (Chester, N.J.) to bring the Cougars within three with 27 minutes to play (5-2).
Clark worked off the momentum of their second goal with a third tally at the 10 minute mark. Barksdale dished the ball to Collier who knocked in her second goal of the season (5-3), but the Lyons responded within less than a minute with a goal from sophomore Mirei Golding-Powers (San Francisco, Calif.) off a feed from senior Liz Delorme (Florence, Mass.). MHC finished out the day with a tally from rookie Kylie Brooks (Oceanside, Calif.) for the final 7-3 victory.
Mount Holyoke outshot Clark 33-19 and 26-13 for shots on goal. Turner played 53 minutes in goal for the Lyons and made seven stops. She improves to 3-2 this season. Rookie Emilie Warren checked in for the final 17 minutes of played and made three saves for the visitors. For Clark, Michaud made 17 saves in the setback and falls to 4-1 this season.
Clark travels to Elms College on Tuesday for an out of conference game at 7:00 p.m. Mount Holyoke is right back in action tomorrow, traveling to Thomas (Maine) for an 11:00 a.m. tilt.