Field Hockey Downs Springfield, 3-2

Springfield, Mass. – Wellesley field hockey, ranked 13^th in the nation, used a second-half surge to topple Springfield College on Saturday for a 3-2 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) win. The comeback win, capped off by Nathalie Gruet's penalty shot with 50 seconds remaining, lifts the Blue to 13-2 overall and 6-0 in the NEWMAC. The Pride drop to 3-10, 1-4 in conference play.

Wellesley scored first in the 15th minute on a goal by Nikki Sharkin. Hannah Flesch controlled the ball on the right side and sent a cross pass to Sharkin who tapped it in for a 1-0 lead. 

Springfield tied it up early in the second half, scoring in the 39th minute. Olivia Cabral made a move by the Wellesley defenders and fed a cross pass to Sarah Ducharme who netted a one-timer to tie the game at a goal apiece. 

The Pride took a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute on a go-ahead goal by Tori Stollmer, her second goal of the season. Cabral tallied her second assist of the game, as her shot was deflected and Stollmer came in for the finish. The goal came off a penalty corner started by Libby Hart. 

Wellesley had an answer less than two minutes later though, tying the game up 2-2 in the 61st minute. Anissa Sridhar intercepted a pass in Springfield's defensive zone and scored from five yards out. 

The game came down to the final seconds as Wellesley received a penalty shot with just 50 seconds left in the game. Gruet drove the shot into the net for the game-winner.

The Pride received solid defensive play down the stretch from senior MK Murray. The defender made several big stops to keep Springfield in the game in the final minutes. 

Juliana Barrasso made three saves in goal for Springfield while Wellesley's Brit Mscisz also had three saves. Wellesley outshot Springfield, 11-9, but the Pride held the 8-6 edge in penalty corners. 

Springfield will travel to Clark for a 7:00 p.m. game on Tuesday while Wellesley will host MIT on Tuesday at 4:00.