NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – Senior forward Cheryl Latona (Granby, Conn.) netted the lone goal of the game for Westfield State, as the Owls fell to UMaine-Farmington, 6-1, in the season opener for both teams in the Caryl Newhof Classic field hockey tournament at Smith College on Saturday afternoon.
Westfield will play in the consolation final tomorrow at 10:30 am against Nichols College, which fell to host Smith 8-1 today. UMF will face Smith in the title game at 1:00 p.m.
Farmington got a standout performance from Alex Bessey, who netted four goals. The Beavers jumped out to a 4-0 lead behind three Bessey goals in the first 28 minutes of the game.
Latona talled in the 29th minute off a feed from Lauren Champiny (Somers, Conn.). Westfield put back to back shots on goal, both saved by Beavers' keeper Grace DiMarco, before Champiny slid a feed past Dimarco to Latona, who converted at the right post.
Dimarco finished with six saves for UMF, while Riley Goulet (Marion, Mass./Old Rochester) stopped three shots for Westfield.