BY CAITLIN LYNCH '20
Mount Holyoke Field Hockey ended its regular season on Saturday with a 4-0 victory over Wheaton College, and defeated Wellesley College 2-1 on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the NEWMAC Field Hockey Championships. With the two wins, the team moved to 5-3 in regular season NEWMAC rankings and 12-6 in total games.
The first goal of Saturday’s game against Wheaton was by captain Kaitlin Braz ’18 at the 14th minute. “It felt amazing to score because it was earned through our relentlessness not just in front of the net, but all across the field,” said Braz. The score stayed at 1-0 for the remainder of the first half.
Opening up the second half of the game, midfielder Sophie Perekslis ’18 scored in the 43rd minute after receiving a pass from Braz. Just over five minutes later, Mount Holyoke continued its momentum with another goal by midfielder Kate Rawson ’18. Concluding the scoring was defender Cymone Martin ’18, who received a pass from Mirjam Keochakian ’19 at about the 69 minute mark. Rawson said, “the best part of the scoring was definitely Cymone’s goal. It was her first collegiate goal and so exciting. All of us on the sideline were jumping up and down with excitement for her!”
The team began its postseason on Tuesday at Wellesley, seeded fifth in the NEWMAC tournament to Wellesley’s fourth. When the two schools competed during the regular season on Sept. 24, Wellesley won in overtime with a score of 1-0. “Coming into this game, we knew the importance of it especially to our seniors, alumni and our friends and family,” said Keochakian.
Nabbing the lead for Mount Holyoke right away, Keochakian scored on a penalty stroke within the first three minutes of play. The Lyons held the lead until the 26th minute, when Wellesley Senior Courtney Peterson sent a goal past Mount Holyoke goalkeeper Liz Dicesare ’17 and tied the score at 1-1.
The second half of the game and first period of overtime went without goals from either team. “Going into overtime against Wellesley isn’t anything new but today we were hungrier and wanted it more,” said Keochakian. With 11 minutes left in the second overtime period, Keochakian sent a pass to Braz, who deflected the ball into Wellesley’s cage to score the game-winning and third personal goal of the year for Braz. “The energy when the final goal was scored was unbelievable, the bleachers erupted in cheers and the entire team came charging out onto the field,” said Braz.
Field Hockey moves on to the semifinals of the NEWMAC championships, playing Babson College Saturday, Nov. 5.