MIT Field Hockey Tops Wellesley, 4-1

WELLESLEY, Mass. – MIT's Kimberly Barker scored twice to lead the Engineers field hockey team to a 4-1 win over Wellesley on Tuesday afternoon. The victory improved MIT to 10-2 overall, 3-1 in NEWMAC play, while Wellesley dips to 7-3, 2-1 in the NEWMAC.

MIT held a 15-11 advantage in shots, opening up a 2-0 lead at the break and then holding strong in the second half to seal the victory. Wellesley piled on 10 penalty corners to eight for the Engineers, but could not create enough offensive chances to get back into the game.

The Engineer's needed just 3:51 into the opening half to get on the board. Maddy Wharton opened the scoring with a rocket from the top of the circle, after a corner insertion from Molly Duffy. MIT stretched the lead to 2-0 late in the half, as Morgan Gulliver collected a rebound and punched it into the back of the cage.

Wellesley recorded five first-half corners, but managed only one clean shot off the corner, a 14th-minute blast from Allison Robbins that was stopped by MIT's Jenna Klein.

The visitors controlled much of the second half, keeping Wellesley on defense throughout most of the period. Barker added to MIT's lead with a 52nd-minute score, with a deflection coming off of a perfect long ball from Michelle Dion to make it 3-0.

Wellesley seemed to gain momentum with just under 13 minutes remaining, as the Blue cut the lead to 3-1. Hannah Flesch was credited with the goal, deflecting a hard-hit shot from Robbins into the right side of the net for a score.

MIT responded, taking over on offense, and adding a fourth goal with no time on the clock. After a corner attempt, Molly McShane found Barker who set the final to 4-1 in favor of the Engineers after a scramble in front of the cage.

Wellesley returns to action on Thursday, going on the road to face Trinity at 6:30pm. MIT plays a NEWMAC match on Saturday, traveling to Mount Holyoke for a 1:00pm clash.