Marisa Ayotte scored what would be the game-winner on a breakaway in NEC's 4-2 win over Salve Regina on Wednesday
Field Hockey advances to TCCC Championship
Four different Pilgrims scored lifting NEC past the visiting Salve Regina Seahawks 4-2 in TCCC Semifinal action on Wednesday afternoon. With the win the Pilgrims improve to 16-4 on the season and will advance to the TCCC Championship on Saturday. The loss ends the Seahawks season with an overall record of 7-13.
NEC wouldn’t waste much time as sophomore midfielder Brianna Gerrior (Gloucester, Mass.) would net a goal off a corner assisted by Ashley Simula (Bridgewater, N.H.) just 5:30 into the game. Salve Regina would answer just over 10 minutes later as Elizabeth Hartmann (Bethel, Conn.) would one-time a pass from Andrea Michel (Yarmouth, Maine) knotting the game at 1-1. The two teams would battle through the remainder of the opening half scoreless heading into the intermission tied at 1-1.
The Pilgrims would regain the lead midway through the second half as Samantha Escobar (Rumney, N.H.) would put in a goal off the keepers pads at the 54:35 mark. Salve Regina would waste no time responding as Hartmann would net her second goal of the game just under three minutes later assisted by Samantha Wolfe (E. Bridgewater, Mass.)
NEC’s Marissa Ayotte (Feeding Hills, Mass.) would give the Pilgrims the lead back as she would weave through two defenders and net a breakaway goal putting the Pilgrims up 3-2 with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation. NEC’s Elise Luccarelli (Holmdel, N.J.) would give the Pilgrims some breathing room as she would net her fifth goal of the season with 2:37 left on the clock, leading the Pilgrims to the 4-2 victory.
Picking up the win in net for NEC was Mary Roux (Auburn, Mass.) who finished with four saves on the afternoon. In goal for Salve Regina was Devin Eppley (Darian, Conn.) who finished with 10 saves.
The #2 seeded Pilgrims will now travel to face the #1 seeded Endicott College Gulls on Saturday, Nov. 8 in the TCCC Championship held in Beverly, Mass., game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
