Sarah Pliszk, second from far left, celebrates her goal that gave Westfield an early 1-0 lead. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – Senior forward Ali Feldman scored with 39 seconds remaining in the game as Westfield State University held on for a 3-2 victory in its field hockey season opener yesterday.
Western New England (0-2) trailed 2-0 at halftime but rallied to tie the score at 2-all in the second half on goals from Caitlin Foster in the 49th minute and Lindsay Lalonde in the 57th minute.
With Westfield playing a player up as WNE was assessed a yellow card with 2:46 remaining, Feldman scored on a scramble in front of the goal following a penalty corner.
The Owls jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from the Connecticut Connection of Sarah Pliszka (Enfield) in the 10th minute and Kelly Kinney (Suffield) in the 25th minute. Senior Liz Hall of Southwick assisted on both goals.
WNE outshot Westfield, 13-11, and Owl goalie Khrystyna Mitchell recorded six saves. The Golden Bears also led in penalty corners, 10-3.
