Maisano Strikes Again As Blue Field Hockey Downs Clark 3-2 in OT

WORCESTER, Mass. – First year Hannah Maisano (Gambrills, Md.) scored the game-winner 3:31 into the first overtime period to send Wellesley College field hockey to a 3-2 victory over Clark University in New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday at Granger Turf Field. 

Maisano's third overtime game-winning goal of the season helps the Blue improve to 9-7 overall and close out the NEWMAC regular season with a 5-3 record in conference games. Clark drops to 5-12 overall and remains winless in NEWMAC play, despite a second half rally that helped send the game into the extra session.

Wellesley sophomore Arielle Mitropoulos (Cambridge, Mass.) scored her second goal in her last three games to give the Blue a 1-0 lead 7:07 into the game. Mitropoulos knocked home her own rebound to score her third goal of the season on the play. The Blue would extend their advantage to 2-0 at 19:04 when sophomore Haley Chrobock (Branchville, N.J.) found classmate Rachel Hwang (Campbell, Calif.) through traffic to help the Blue double their advantage.

Despite Wellesley holding a 7-4 advantage in shots and an 11-2 edge in penalty corner chances in the second half, the Cougars found the back of the Wellesley cage twice to tie the game. Junior Liz Grady (Worcester, Mass.) started the rally, scoring her third goal of the season on an unassisted effort 6:35 into the second stanza. The Cougars tied the contest just under ten minutes later when senior Lauren Mackey (Dublin, N.H.) found classmate Alyssa Williams (New Sharon, Maine) following a penalty corner at 49:48. The goal was Williams' first of the year.

Wellesley poured on the pressure over the final 20 minutes of play, earning nine penalty corners, while outshooting the Cougars 4-0, but could not find the go-ahead goal before the end of regulation. 

Hwang made a bid for her second of the contest to open the overtime period, but sent Wellesley's first chance high over the Clark cage. However, the Blue's next shot proved to be the difference maker, as this time Hwang found Maisano to give Wellesley the 3-2 win.

Clark sophomore Dani Michaud (Providence, R.I.) made eight saves in the setback, as Wellesley outshot Clark by a 15-6 margin in the contest. At the other end, Blue senior goalkeeper Lucy Hurlock (Needham, Mass.) made one stop to earn the win. 

Wellesley will close out the regular season on Thursday, October 27, when they host non-conference UMass Dartmouth at 4:00 PM. Clark will complete the NEWMAC regular season next Saturday, October 29, when they travel to Smith for a 3:00 PM contest.