Lasell Field Hockey Drops Heartbreaker to Thomas in NAC Play

Newton, MA— Lasell field hockey dropped a heartbreaking North Atlantic Conference contest, 5-4, to Thomas College on Sunday afternoon at Grellier Field.  After trading goals for over 65 minutes of play, Terrier midfielder Kristin Masessa (Montville, ME) tipped in the game-winner to hold the Lasers at bay.  With the win, Thomas improves to 4-6 overall, and 2-1 in the NAC, while Lasell drops to 4-7 overall and 0-4 in league play.

Masessa's goal was scored at 65:54 off a penalty corner which was presented to Ali Kriegel (Winslow, ME) at the head of the arc.  Kriegel sent a high shot towards the Laser net which Masessa redirected in the air to command the 5-4 lead.

Lasell had a chance to retaliate as time ticked off the clock in the closing second of the game when they were awarded a penalty corner.  The Lasers created a crucial opportunity with Tia Pratt (Oxford Hills, ME) delivering a bullet at the Terriers net, but goalkeeper Megan Denby (Capiague, NY) made a gallant splitting save to preserve the score and earn the win.

In a game that fluctuated between four ties and three lead changes, the playing field was fairly level on more than just the scoreboard. Lasell had a slight advantage in shots (16-13) while Thomas managed a narrow edge in penalty corners (15-13) through the match.  Denby came up with nine saves in the harrowing contest while Laser net minder Christine Thornton (Canton, MA) lodged four saves in the defeat.

In the early going, Thomas got on the board at 10:21 after a penalty corner resulted in a skirmish of players in front of the Laser net. Amongst the chaos, Claire Wyman (Dexter, ME) collected a short pass from Masessa and chipped in the Terrier's first goal.

Lasell evened out the score on a penalty corner in the 24^th minute when Hannah Cebry (Burlington, CT) set up a penalty corner which she tapped to Pratt at the height of the 16 yard arc.  Pratt took one step and knocked in the equalizer.

With less than two minutes elapsed, Lasell then took the lead on another penalty corner chance. Natasha Wood (White River Junction, VT) passed the corner into Sara Jannuzzi (Glen, NH) who nipped it over to Hilary Joseph (Cranford, NJ) who was waiting in prime position.  Joseph quickly released a missile into the back of the Terrier's box, giving Lasell a 2-1 edge at the intermission.

After halftime, Sarah Estes (Brewer, ME) evened the score for the second time, at 42:15, when another corner was awarded to the visitors.  Kriegel received the pass from the corner and made a move until Estes opened up on the wing.  Estes dodged a Laser defender and let loose on the net shooting it into the opposite corner.

Lasell regained the lead one minute later as Jannuzzi bounded in and took a diving shot on goal, which Denby knocked away, but Cebry was there to pick up the deflected save and take the lead.

Masessa brought the score to three-all when she picked up the ball in a scuffle in the Lasers' back field and dribbled through the traffic to take a straight-on shot from eight yards out.

Lasell scored their last mark in the 64^th minute when Cebry and Joseph took off on a breakaway from midfield.  Cebry controlled the ball while Joseph tore down the left sideline in a two-on-one situation with Denby.  Cebry waited to coax Denby out of net then slid a pass to Joseph who trailed behind to tuck in the goal for a 4-3 Lasell advantage. Just 25 seconds later the Terriers closed the gap for the final time, as Ally Kennedy (Readfield, ME) picked up a Lasell turnover and launched a shot from 15 yards out.

Masessa scored the game-winner less than two minutes later to seal the NAC victory.

Lasell returns to non-conference action this week with a Thursday, October 7th night contest at Fitchburg State University.  Game time is 6:00 p.m.