Posted: Nov 03, 2012

AMCATS Capture NECC Championship with 4 – 2 Win Over Elms

Elms

(8-12-0,)

Anna Maria

(14-7-0,)

Final

Elms (8-12-0,)

Anna Maria (14-7-0,)

Scoring Summary

1st - 2:18 - Kristina Kopyscinski (Elms)

1st - 16:42 - Nichole Lowe (Anna Maria)

1st - 20:55 - Marybeth McClune (Anna Maria)

2nd - 41:11 - Kylie Dalbec (Anna Maria)

2nd - 47:09 - Marybeth McClune (Anna Maria)

2nd - 68:33 - Kristina Kopyscinski (Elms)

Game Leaders

Elms

G: Kristina Kopyscinski - 2

A: 2 Players (#2, #6) - 1

Sh: Kristina Kopyscinski - 3

Sv: Alexandra Bonavita - 8

Anna Maria

G: Marybeth McClune - 2

A: Kayla Lapierre - 2

Sh: Kylie Dalbec - 6

Sv: Mary Kate Breen - 2

Team Stats

Elms

Anna Maria

Shots (on goal)

7 (4)

19 (12)

Saves

Fouls

Penalty Corners

Full stats

Paxton, MA – Senior Marybeth McClune (Worcester, MA) scored her 18^th and 19^th goals of the season to lead the Anna Maria field hockey team to a 4 – 2 New England Collegiate Conference Championship victory over Elms College. With the win, the AMCATS finish the season at 14-7, remaining unbeaten in conference play. The Elms College Blazers complete their season with an overall record of 8-12.

The Blazers offense started strong, putting an immense amount of pressure on the AMCATS defense in the first few minutes of the contest. Freshman forward Kristina Kopyscinski (Agawam, MA) scored the first goal of the game at the two minute mark, giving Elms an early 1-0 lead.

Anna Maria's offense battled back, as senior Brooke Denver (New Britian, CT) laced two straight shots on the Blazers goal at the five minute mark. Elms senior goaltender Alexandra Bonavita (Agawam, MA) made a diving stop on the first attempt, and sophomore defender Allie LaMonica (Salem, MA) came up with a big defensive save on the second attempt.

The AMCATS were able to break through a tough Blazers defense at the 18 minute mark. Sophomore Nichole Lowe (Saugus, MA) put home a loose ball rebound to tie the score at 1-1. Two minutes later, McClune received a pass across the Blazers' goalmouth from freshman Kayla Lapierre (Worcester, MA), and scored her first goal of the game. The AMCATS had a 2-1 advantage at the half.

The AMCATS offense posted two more goals early in the second half. Freshman Kylie Dalbec (Portland, ME) netted her 12^th goal of the season at the 41 minute mark, and McClune scored her second goal of the contest at the 47^th minute mark, with Lapierre picking up her second assist on the day.

The Blazers tried to amount a comeback, and were able to pressure the AMCATS defense. Kristina Kopyscinski scored her second goal of the game at the 68 minute mark to cut the AMCAT lead in half, but time ran out for Elms, and the AMCATS held on for a 4-2 victory.

Freshman goaltender Mary Kate Breen (Londonderry, NH) recorded her 14^th win of the season for the AMCATS while making two saves in net. With her two goals on the day, Marybeth McClune has set an AMCAT record with 37 career goals. McClune has also set the record for goals scored (19) and points recorded in a single season (40). Keri Hoenig ('92) had the previous record for goals in a season (18), and points in a season (36). Pam Pelletier held the record for career goals (36).

McClune was named as the NECC tournament MVP while teammates Brooke Denver, Kylie Dalbec, and junior Shannon Looney (Leicester, MA) were named to the NECC Championship All-Tournament Team. Also garnishing post-tournament accolades for the Elms College Blazers were Allie LaMonica, Kristina Kopyscinski, Alexandra Bonavita and sophomore Ashley Reid (Enfield, CT).

Click here to see game photos from today's match.