Box Score NORTHAMPTON, Mass. –
Ellie Hunkins and
Maggie Cahoon scored 2:14 apart early in the fourth quarter to help the Keene State College field hockey team erase a two-goal deficit, but Elena Korinek answered with 5:23 to go in regulation as Smith College rebounded to down the Owls 4-3 Thursday night at the Smith Turf Field.
Records
- Keene State: 3-8
- Smith: 3-6
How It Happened
KSC, who has now played six one-goal contests this season, entered the evening off a win Tuesday night at Plymouth State University that gave them back-to-back victories for the first time this season, but their comeback effort and bid for a third straight win came up short this evening. The Owls never led but came to life late, threatening the Pioneers, who had controlled most of the game to that point, with a late flurry. Smith led 2-1 at the break and added another tally halfway through the third when Karlie Guimond's reverse shot found its way through for a two-goal edge, seemingly putting the Pioneers well in control entering the fourth.
The Owls had other ideas, however, and turned it into a 3-3 game a little over five minutes into the final quarter. KSC's pressure paid off to trim the deficit to one in the 49th minute, as
Hannah Wood poked the ball away from Kyleigh Poot, carried it into the circle, and fed a perfect pass to
Ellie Hunkins who made a beautiful move around Smith goalkeeper Channy Cornell to make it 3-2. It marked just another game – the fifth consecutive one – where Hunkins found the back of the cage. She has scored seven times in the last eight outings and has 28 shots in that span.
A brilliant corner play helped the Owls tie the game with 9:46 left in regulation, as
Maggie Cahoon inserted the ball and hung around the near side post afterward, waiting for
Irini Stefanakos' feed which she tipped home for a 3-3 tie. Stefanakos has scored a goal in three straight games herself – earlier tying this game at 1-1 in the 14th minute – and has a goal and an assist in each of the past two games. Smith had an immediate response to the first tie since the first quarter, forcing Keene State keeper Edmark to make a stop on Abbey O'Meara's shot in the 53rd minute and
Emily White a defensive save on her just two minutes later. The Pioneers kept pushing, putting in the eventual winner with 5:23 to go after Korinek poked home a loose ball in the box. Keene State did get a chance to tie when Smith's Laura Dreher got a green card with 2:15 left, but wound up not recording a shot over the final 9:46 after the game-tying goal.
Edmark made three saves for KSC in the cage, while Cornell stopped six shots in the winning effort for the Pioneers.
Penalty Strokes
- Despite Hunkins' surge, Stefanakos still leads the team in goals with nine and points with 24 in her rookie campaign.
- Keene State has lost two of the past three games in the head-to-head series, both in Northampton, after winning 11 of the first 13 regardless of venue. Smith has scored eight combined goals against the Owls in their last two home wins.
Up Next
- The Owls host Bridgewater State University (3-5, 1-2 LEC) for a league game on Saturday, October 2 at 1:30 p.m.
- Smith entertains Wheaton College (Mass.) (4-5, 0-1) in a NEWMAC contest on the same day at 1:00 p.m.
