Landry Stops Career-High 25 Shots; Eastern Blanks Field Hockey 2-0

NEWTON, Mass. (9/5/15) – Sophomore goalkeeper Denise Landry (New Milford, Conn.) posted a career-high 25 saves in a 2-0 loss to Eastern Connecticut State on Saturday afternoon at Grellier Field. The setback puts the Lasers at 0-2 on the year, while the Warriors climb to 2-0.

After 34 minutes of scoreless play, Warriors junior Elly Walker (Scarborough, Maine) finished on a cross from senior Laura Chicorka (Enfield, Conn.) with just 11 seconds left in the first half to give the visitors the 1-0 jump.

Eastern continued to push the Lasers offensively in the second half, wasting little time in the offensive third. The visitors were awarded an immediate two corners, thereafter firing two shots on net. Landry came out for the diving save to get the Lasers out of 2-0 trouble.

At the 43 minute mark, Warriors' sophomore Alex Kallgren (Dudley, Mass.) lined up for a corner, where the Warriors began rapid fire on Landry. Despite two close-call saves, Kallgren found the back of the net on a rebound from senior forward Brianna Passero (Trumbull, Conn.).   

After a timeout from the Carolina and White, freshman Julia Franzik (Wallingford, Conn.) broke free from Eastern' s defense to rip a shot just past the right post. Senior Ashlee Pechulis (Westfield, Mass.) later took the ball inside the shooting arc and wound up for a blast, but was blocked by the Warriors' defense.

The Warriors held composure and put a constant drive on offense, but the end result remained 2-0 after a series of saves from Landry.

Eastern held a 35-5 advantage in shots on the Lasers, while Landry (0-2) stopped 25 of 27 faced on net.  Junior goalie Samantha Scavo (2-0) (Redding, Conn.) had one save on the day for the Warriors.

The Lasers open up their Great Northeast Athletic Conference schedule at Johnson and Wales University on Saturday, September 12 at 1:00 p.m., while the Warriors travel to UMass Dartmouth on the same day at 12:00 p.m.