Vellanki to Peterson Connection Lifts FH Past Gordon

WENHAM, Mass. -- The 16th-ranked Wellesley Blue used a second-half goal from Courtney Peterson to get by the Fighting Scots 1-0 at the Brigham Athletic Complex. Gordon's defense fended off 21 shots and 20 penalty corners, but the Blue's lone goal made the difference in a tight match up.

The win improves Wellesley to 9-1 overall, while Gordon suffers just its third loss of the season, moving to 8-3.

The Blue dominated possession in the first half, putting eight shots on goal against Gordon keeper Anna Bury. Gordon also got a defensive save from Megan Wernig to keep the score tied at zero all at halftime.

Wellesley kept the pressure on Gordon's defense again in the second half, peppering the Scots with 11 more shots. Bury, however, put up 12 saves on the night and made several beautiful stops to keep the Blue out of the cage.

Wellesley's persistence finally paid off in the 47th minute. Nathalie Gruet hit a blazing shot that glanced off of Bury's right pad and for the moment, away from the goal. However, Neha Vellanki gathered the deflection, flicked it onto her teammate Courtney Peterson, who finished the play to give Wellesley a 1-0 lead over the Scots.

Gordon countered 15 minutes later with a scoring chance of their own, but a string of bad luck erased a goal. Brittany Hawkins broke free down the left side of the Scots offensive half. She centered a ball in to Courtney Scott, who could not make contact with the pass. Hawkins' pass seemed to have glanced off of a defender and into the goal box, but the play was reversed after a quick conference between the officials.

Gordon got a final chance at an equalizer with no time remaining in regulation. The Scots earned a final penalty corner, but a last shot went wide, as the Blue held on for a narrow victory.

Wellesley heads back to NEWMAC play this weekend, traveling to Smith for a 12:00pm start. The Scots are back in action on Friday night for a CCC matchup at Nichols.