Kelsey Carpenter hugs senior Liz Hall (No. 23) as coaches Jessica Bergen and Holly Stevens look on during the Senior Day pre-game ceremonies. (Photo by Nancy Bals.)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State University survived a Salem scare to post a 5-4 victory in field hockey conference action on Saturday, Oct. 27.
The Owls, under the direction of first-year head coach Jessica Bergen, own an 11-6 overall record and 7-4 conference mark heading into the postseason tournament. Salem State University is 9-8 and 5-6.
Liz Hall was one of four seniors honored on Senior Day.
Westfield jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead and held 4-1 and 5-2 lead in the second half when Salem came roaring back to make it interesting in the closing minutes.
Liz Hall celebrated Westfield’s Senior Day in style by scoring two first-half goals. Freshman Taylor Chase scored the game’s first goal in the 18th minute as the Owls took their 3-0 intermission lead.
Kayde McCarthy scored an unassisted goal six minutes into the second half to put Salem on the scoreboard. Two minutes later, Sarah Pliszka scored her first of two goals as the Owls regained their three-goal advantage. Pliszka also assisted on two first-half goals for a game-high six points.
Salem’s Courtney Lynch scored in the 47th minute to make it 4-2, but Pliszka countered with another goal for a 5-2 Westfield lead with 17 minutes remaining in the goal.
Lynch scored her second goal in the 59th minute and two minutes later Kathleen Clark scored as Salem closed to within a goal with 9:52 remaining. Salem had an opportunity to tie the score off a penalty corner on the game’s final play but the shot was wide.
Westfield outshot Salem, 18-14. Westfield reserve goalie Jess Rodier entered the game following Salem’s fourth goal and came up with several big kick saves in the final minutes.
