Wildcats fall in overtime in NECC Final
LEICEISTER, Mass.- The Wheelock field hockey team jumped out to a 2-0 lead in Saturday's New England Collegiate Conference Championship game, but Becker College rallied for a 3-2 win in sudden death overtime. It was Becker's NECC title in the last two years.
The Wildcats jumped on the board 20:03 into the game, when Jacquilyn Hull (Braintee, Mass) ripped a shot from ten yards out into the left corner of the net. Wheelock increased their lead to 2-0 when Milbrey Hendrix (Kennett Square, NY) lifted a shot over the head of Becker goalkeeper Nakita Gosselin (Springfield, VT).
The Hawks came alive in the second half when NECC Player of the Year Victoria Sirchia (Goshen, Conn) broke through the Wheelock defense, scoring through the five-hole. Becker tied the score in the 67th minute when freshman Morgan Gass (Avon, Conn) put back her own shot, tying the game 2-2.
The two teams went in to sudden death overtime to determine the NECC Championship. With 9:18 remaining in overtime Victoria Sirchia drove a shot from ten yards out, just out of the reach of Meredith Race (Marion, Mass) for the game winner.
Race made eight saves in the loss. Wheelock finished the season with an overall record of 8-10. Nakita Gosselin made four saves, including three crucial saves in overtime. With the win the Hawks improved their overall record to 13-8.
At the conclusion of the championship game the NECC All-Tournament team was announced. Senior midfielder Danielle Gero (Holyoke, Mass) and freshman goalkeeper Alexandra Bonavita (Agawam, Mass) were the Elms College selections. Freshman midfielder Maeghan Farrelly (Jamestown, RI) and sophomore defender Sarah Steves (North Granville, NY) were selected from Daniel Webster College. Junior forward Milbrey Hendrix, freshman defender Chelsey Ballard (Mansfield, Mass), freshman midfielder Despina Savvoulides (Norwalk, Conn) and junior Michaela Ross (Mansfield, Mass) were chosen from the runner-up Wheelock Wildcats. Junior goalkeeper Nakita Gosselin, junior defender Jessica Provencher (Berwick, ME) and freshman forward Morgan Gass were chosen from the champions. Sophomore Victoria Sirchia was award the Tournament Most Valuable Player.
