BY CAITLIN LYNCH '20
Colby Newsham ’19 led the Lyons to victory over Smith College with apenalty stroke in the final seconds of Tuesday night’s home game. This win improves MHC Field Hockey’s record to 5-4 overall and 2-1 in NEWMAC play.
The game started off with a goal by Smith College sophomore Alex Larosee at 15:24. “Smith’s first goal was tough to swallow but, as the first half continued, we bounced back in the second 15 minutes,” said midfielder Sophie Perekslis ’18. The Lyons stayed determined and Mirjam Keochakian ’19 evened the score at 26:52, assisted by Charlotte Wagner ’17. Minutes before the first half ended, Mount Holyoke powered past Smith with a goal by Wagner, assisted by teammate Perekslis.
Smith sophomore Emily Biggs tied up the game with a goal at 60:54, and the score remained 2-2 until seconds before the clock timed out, when Mount Holyoke was awarded a penalty corner. Newsham stepped up to take the stroke for the Lyons, facing junior Smith goalie Cameo Tietje. The crowd fell silent and Newsham sent a shot to the right post, past a diving Tietje for the game-winner.
“So many players had amazing games last night that it was the least I could do to put one in the cage for them,” said Newsham. Perekslis said that “later, [Newsham] told us she was playing “Call Me Maybe” in her head before she took the stroke, a strategy our coach has taught us to use in those intense moments.”
Tuesday’s game felt especially honorable for the Lyons, as MHC Field Hockey had lost to Smith in 2015 for the first time since 2003. Fans of all ages packed the stadium to cheer on players from both teams. Perekslis said “we knew this game was not only an important game for our standing this year, but a revenge game from last year.” Following this win over Smith, the team intends to revive the 11-year streak that was lost last season.
“There’s always a special rivalry between the women’s colleges, so beating Smith felt extra good,” said Wagner. “I have the utmost confidence in my team’s abilities and I couldn’t be more proud of how we played last night.”
For Newsham, this win is indicative of what the team could accomplish for the rest of the season. “I know that if we bring the same tenacity and passion we had against Smith to every game, we could be an unstoppable force in the NEWMAC this year,” said Newsham. Field Hockey takes on Springfield College this Saturday, Oct. 8.