MIT Runs Away From Field Hockey, 7-1

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Oct. 24, 2009) – First year forward Kimberly Barker posted a hat trick to power the Massachusetts Institute of Technology field hockey team to a convincing 7-1 triumph over New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) foe Mount Holyoke College this afternoon at Jack Barry Field.

The Lyons closed out their regular season with an overall record of 9-7 and a league mark of 4-4. They have clinched a spot in the NEWMAC Tournament and will take the field for a Quarterfinal Round contest next Saturday against a yet to be determined opponent.

MIT took control of the contest early, scoring three times off penalty corner sets within the first 14:30. Sophomore midfielder Anna Teruya got things going with a blast from the top of the circle at the 3:01 mark off a feed from senior midfielder Ekavali Mishra. Barker knocked in a rebound two minutes later to extend the cushion to 2-0. She scored off another second chance opportunity in the 15th minute to make the score 3 0.

The Engineers tacked on two more goals before the end of the opening frame to push their lead to 5-0. First year midfielder Molly McShane capitalized on another Mishra feed in the 20th minute, and Barker capped off the half with her third tally at the 29:25 mark.

Mishra redirected a Teruya shot past Mount Holyoke sophomore goalkeeper Katie Gibson ten minutes into the second stanza to run MIT’s advantage to 6-0. Sophomore forward Katie Kauffman then rounded out the scoring for the hosts in the 49th minute.

The Lyons lone goal of the day came from sophomore forward Maddy Starbranch, who knocked in a rebound with 2:10 remaining in regulation.

MIT (13-4, 4-3 NEWMAC) finished with advantages in both shots (21-18) and penalty corners (12-9). Junior goalkeeper Kerri Dixon (Bethlehem, Pa./Singapore American) made seven saves for the hosts. At the other end, Gibson turned away eight shots for Mount Holyoke.