Second Half Surge Sends WPI Over Wellesley Field Hockey, 4-3

WORCESTER, Mass.-- Junior Carly Cidado (Easton, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal with nine seconds remaining in regulation to give WPI a 4-3 victory over Wellesley College field hockey in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at WPI's Alumni Stadium.

WPI remains undefeated at 5-0 on the season and is now 1-0 in conference play. Wellesley is now 3-2 overall (0-1 NEWMAC).

WPI took the first lead of the game just a minute after the opening whistle when sophomore Abby O'Sullivan (Walpole, Mass.) scored off her own rebound to give WPI the early advantage. Wellesley countered at 9:15 to tie the game when senior Rachel Hwang (Campbell, Calif.) found classmate Arielle Mitropoulos (Cambridge, Mass.) before Mitropoulos finished through a crowd in front of the cage to tie the contest. Sophomore Danielle Brubaker (Princeton Junction, N.J.) then put away her second goal of the season with help from first year Maddie Bettencourt (Virginia Beach, Va.) to give the Blue a 2-1 lead at 11:15. 

The Blue lead jumped to 3-1 at 15:20, when junior Hannah Maisano (Gambrills, Md.) shot from the top of the arc to beat WPI senior goalkeeper Karen Mushrall (Mariaville, Maine). Wellesley senior goalkeeper Maggie Connelly (Duxbury, Mass.) made seven saves in the first half, including a three shot sequence during the 17th minute to maintain the 3-1 score heading into halftime. However, the Engineers scored three goals in the second half to comeback to defeat the Blue.

WPI cut the deficit to 3-2 at 44:39 when O'Sullivan scored her second of the game. Two minutes later, Engineer junior Shannon Hynes (Auburn, Mass.) found classmate Bridget Sullivan (Wilmington, Mass.) to tie the game, 3-3. The game looked bound for overtime but with nine seconds remaining in regulation, O'Sullivan took a shot that was tipped in by Cidado for her second career game-winning goal.

WPI held the advantage in shots, 21-7 and penalty corners, 8-4. Connelly (3-2 overall) recorded a season-high 10 saves and also got help from junior Kerry Wells (Portland, Maine), whoe registered a defensive save in the 46th minute. WPI goalkeeper Karen Mushrall (Mariaville, Maine) made four saves in the win and is now 5-0 on the season. 

Wellesley returns home tomorrow to host the University of New England at 12:00 PM. WPI will play again on Wednesday, September 19 at 6:30 PM when they host Connecticut College.