Field Hockey Falls in Season Opener to Massachusetts

Friday, September 5

Hanover, N.H.

3 p.m.

Dartmouth College

Massachusetts

Field Hockey Falls in Season Opener to Massachusetts

9/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

By: Dartmouth

Box Score

HANOVER, N.H. ? The Dartmouth field hockey team dropped its season opener, 2-0, to Massachusetts as the Big Green opened a new era on Chase Field.

The Minutewomen had the advantage in penalty corners during the first half and kept the pressure on Dartmouth. Massachusetts had a great opportunity 9:00 remaining as a shot was taken above the center of the crease, but freshman Meagan Vakiener (Port Murray, N.J.) made a unbelievable save to keep it a scoreless game. Vakiener finished the day with seven saves in her collegiate debut.

Jill Powers got the Minutewomen on the board first with 3:47 left in the first half as Massachusetts had trouble with a penalty corner, but Erin Parker collected the ball and found Powers in front and she beat Vakiener for the 1-0 lead.

In the first half, Massachusetts outshot the Big Green 11-1 and had a 6-1 advantage in penalty corners.

The Minutewomen increased their lead to 2-0 midway through the second half when Makeala Potts fired a shot on a penalty corner that was tipped by Vakiener by Katie Kelly.

Massachusetts held an 18-8 advantage in total shots, while seven were put on net. Dartmouth fell in the penalty corner department as the Minutewomen posted a 15-5 advantage.

The Big Green will be back in action next Wednesday at 3 p.m. from Chase Field against Northeastern for another non-conference match-up.