Dennis, Maisano Lead Wellesley Field Hockey to 3-2 OT Win at Clark

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Junior Carson Dennis (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.) scored the game-winning goal 3:28 into the first overtime to lift Wellesley College field hockey to a 3-2 victory over Clark University on New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Play4TheCure Saturday at Granger Field.

Play4TheCure is the sport fundraising program for the National Foundation for Cancer Research which provides funding worldwide to the best scientists to enable cutting edge research that other large cancer organizations can't and won't fund. Play4TheCure inspires athletes and their teams to leverage their passion for sports to "Play4" loved ones affected by cancer and encourages them to actively participate in working to fund cancer research to make a difference. To support Wellesley's fundraising efforts, visit: https://www.crowdrise.com

Senior Hannah Maisano (Gambrills, Md.) scored twice in regulation for the Blue, who improve to 6-4 overall and 2-1 in NEWMAC games. Clark, who had won six of its last seven games entering play on Saturday, is now 7-4 overall and 2-1 in conference.

Clark junior Carden Maloney (Worcester, Mass.) capitalized on the game's first penalty corner chance to give the Cougars an early lead, finding the back of the cage 2:30 into the first period following the insertion by sophomore Emma Boland (Redding, Conn.). Clark earned both of its penalty corner chances in the first quarter, as Wellsley finished with an 11-2 edge.

Maisano rallied the Blue in the second quarter, scoring two goals in a 1:11 span to give Wellesley a 2-1 lead. Maisano scored her first of the game at 21:51 to tie the score. She followed with a second unassisted marker, scoring her team-leading ninth of the year at 23:02, to move the Blue ahead in the contest.

The Blue lead was short lived, as first year Kerry Lefebvre (Freeport, Maine) tied the game for Clark just under four minutes later when she finished on a feed from classmate Abigail Cravinho (Bellow Falls, Vt.) to make the score 2-2 before halftime. The teams remained tied throughout the second half with the Blue outshooting Clark, 4-3.

Dennis and the Blue dominated the overtime session, outshooting the Cougars 4-0 before Dennis scored the game-winner. Wellesley capitalized on the team's only penalty corner in the extra frame. Maddie Bettencourt's (Virginia Beach, Va.) first bid at goal was denied by a defensive save from Boland but Dennis collected the rebound, turned and scooped the ball high over Clark goalkeeper Grace Sawyer (Windham, Maine) to win the game.

Wellesley finished the game with a 16-9 advantage in shots. Sawyer made eight saves on 11 Wellesley shots on target in the loss (6-4). Blue junior goalkeeper Janelle Sullivan (Philadelphia, Pa.) made three saves to earn the win (6-4).

The Blue return home to host crosstown rival and nationally-ranked Babson in NEWMAC play on Tuesday, October 8, at 4:00 PM. Clark will play a non-conference contest on Tuesday at 3:30 PM at Lasell.