Field Hockey Edged by Smith in Season Opener

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State sophomore Taylor Creech (Kennebunk, Maine) and first-year Meredith Higgins (Enfield, Conn.) each tallied a goal, but the Owls comeback effort fell short against Smith College, 3-2, on a Saturday afternoon in the Caryl Newof Classic from Northampton, Mass.

Following a scoreless first period, Smith was first on the board as Karlie Guimond (Hatfield, Mass.) registered her first of three goals in the game to jumpstart the Pioneers offense. Guimond would bury her second and third goals in the first five and a half minutes of the third quarter, giving Smith a 3-0 advantage.

After Guimond's hat trick, the field slanted in Westfield's favor as Higgins answered back two minutes later to cut the Pioneers lead to two. The Owls put together relentless pressure in the quarter, firing a period-high 11 shots at Smith goalkeeper Rory Harper (Wayne, Penn.). Harper was able to preserve the lead for Smith, stopping ten of eleven shots in the third.

The Owls opened the fourth period with Creech depositing Westfield's second goal of the afternoon off a feed from junior Madison Ouellette (Uxbridge, Mass.), trimming the deficit to one goal. Another Creech scoring opportunity at the 53^rd minute was denied by Harper, leaving the score at its final mark.

Westfield goalkeeper Paige Reisman (Milford, Mass.) was equally strong in net for the Owls, recording 12 saves including three in the final period.

Smith held the overall advantage in shots on net, totaling 22 to the Owls 15. 

Westfield State (0-1) will continue in the Caryl Newof Classic tomorrow where the Owls will face-off against University of Maine Farmington at 10:30 A.M.