Westfield's Holly Brouillette gathers in a pass near midfield and teammate Sarah Pliszka and Keene State's Leddy Gallagher charge downfield. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – Freshman forward Sami Smith scored on a breakaway with 6:08 remaining as Keene State College held off upset minded Westfield State University, 4-3, in Little East Conference field hockey action on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Keene State remains undefeated in the conference with a 9-0 record and improves to 14-3 overall. Westfield State drops to 3-6 and 6-8.
Despite being outshot, 30-6, Westfield State tied the score at 3-3 on a goal by freshman Meg Doherty with 6:57 remaining in the game. Doherty gathered a loose ball on the right side following a penalty corner attempt and fired a shot inside the left post for the game-tying goal.
Keene quickly regained the lead for good when Leddy Gallagher dribbled down the middle of the field and passed to a wide open Smith on the right side for the breakaway goal.
Westfield took a 1-0 lead midway through the first period on a goal by freshman forward Holly Brouillette. Doherty assisted on the goal.
Keene knotted the score on an unassisted goal from Aimee Donaruma in the 26th minute. Donaruma then assisted on a Marisa Lemoine goal to give the visitors a 2-1 lead in the 30th minute.
Westfield evened the score at 2-all with 1:28 remaining in the first half on a goal by Kelly Kenney, with an assist from Sarah Pliszka.
Keene took a 3-2 lead two minutes into the second stanza on a goal by Katelyn Simula. Gallagher tallied her first of two assists on the goal.
Keene had 22 shots on goal and also dominated the penalty corners, 23-3. Westfield freshman goalie Megan Fountaine was outstanding between the pipes with 15 saves and Westfield back Kelsey Carpenter was credited with three defensive saves.
