Dalbec’s Pair Leads AMCATS to NECC Final

Paxton, MA – Freshman Kylie Dalbec (Portland, ME) potted two first half goals and senior Brooke Denver (New Britain, CT) added a second half score to lead the Anna Maria College field hockey team to a 3-1 New England Collegiate Conference Semifinal victory tonight at AMCAT field. With the win the AMCATS improve to 13-7 while the Wildcats end their season at 3-11.

The AMCATS carried an undefeated 6-0 record into the match while Wheelock looked for revenge from a 2011 loss at the hands of the AMCATS in the NECC Semifinals.

The AMCATS' came out of the gate putting pressure on the Wildcats' defense and goalkeeper. In the twelfth minute, Dalbec playing center forward scored off of a pass from junior midfielder Nicole Morrison (Rutland, MA). Later on, in the 26^th minute, Dalbec found the back of the net again, picking up her second goal of the night and her 11^th on the season. The assist came from the stick of senior forward Marybeth McClune (Worcester, MA). McClune's helper, her 36^th point of the 2012 campaign, ties the AMCAT all-time points in a season mark, set in 1992 by Keri Hoenig.

Anna Maria held a 2-0 lead going into the locker room.

The Wildcats had some great scoring opportunities in the first half of play, but the AMCATS defenders performed incredibly. Morrison, sophomore defender Bridget Larsen (Hull, MA), and freshman defender Amanda Hebert (South Deerfield, MA) each picked goals off the end line earning huge defensive saves behind net minder Mary Kate Breen (Londonderry, NH).

The pressure on the Wildcats remained consistent throughout. Eight minutes in to the second half, senior midfielder Brooke Denver chased down a rebound  off the pads of Wildcat goalie Molly Rose (Weymouth, Mass) and deposited it in the back of the net for the 3-0 lead.

The Wildcats certainly did not go down without a fight. Wheelock tallied a goal when Despina Savvoulides (Norwalk, CT), a senior forward, received a pass from senior midfielder Rachel Robohm (North Easton, MA) off a defensive corner and one-timed it to the twine to cut the lead to 3-1 with 4:13 left on the clock, however it wasn't enough and the AMCATS went on to the win.

Breen finished the game with five saves for her 13^th win of the season while her counterpart Rose had 5 saves in the loss. Wheelock held the edge in penalty corners 10-8.

With this victory, the AMCATS advance to the NECC Championship match. The Blazers of Elms College will visit AMCAT Field on Saturday, November 3^rd for a 1:00 PM tilt.