Reigning NAC Field Hockey Champs Husson University Trump Lasell in League Opener

NEWTON, MA - North Atlantic Conference (NAC) reigning field hockey champion and preseason favorite, Husson University, proved to be the team to beat today as they shutout Lasell College, 7-0, at Grellier Field on Saturday afternoon.

Husson came out vigorously from the start and pounded on Lasell's net, driving two shots-on-goal off of two penalty corners in the first four minutes.  After another four minutes, and three saves by Lasell's goalkeeper Christine Thornton (Canton, MA), the Eagles notched an early goal to get on top, 1-0.   Sabrina Vaillancourt (Newport, ME) tallied the mark with help from Kajsa Blindow (Morgan, VT), at 8:54, to give the visitors the edge they would not relinquish the rest of the contest.

Husson doubled the score at 16:09 when MaKayla Stevens (Lisbon, ME) connected on a pass from Vaillancourt on the left sideline, and flicked off a quick shot.

Before the halftime break, Husson render two more goals to take a 4-0 advantage into intermission.  Mariah Arno (Dover-Foxcroft, ME) recorded both goals in back-to-back shots less than a minute apart, at 23:31 and 24:15.  At halftime, Thornton had knocked aside eight chances on goal while Eagle keeper Kristen Capen (Leeds, ME) remained untested in net.

In the second half, Husson tacked on three more goals to convincingly seal their first NAC win of the year.   Elizabeth Nodden (Skohwhegan, ME) registered the fifth goal, unassisted, and then followed that up by aiding Blindow with an assist on the sixth tally of the game.  The final marker was hit by Hayley Thibeau (Gardiner, ME), at 57:57, to close out scoring.

Lasell's Katelyn Fabri (Fairfield, CT) got off the only two shots for the Lasers in the conference opener, one of which was on target but swatted aside by Husson's relieving goalkeeper Chelsea Kondratowicz (Kingston, NY).

Thornton finished the contest with 13 saves, facing 20 total shots on goal by the Eagles.

Despite the fact that she was untested in net, Capen earned the win, while Kondratowicz played the entire second half and made one save.  Husson improves to 4-1 this season overall and 1-0 in NAC play.

Lasell falls to 1-4 this year and 0-1 in league action.  The Lasers will travel to Rivier on Tuesday, September 20th for a 7:00 p.m. night game with the Raiders in their next NAC event.