Murphy Nets Game Winner as Owls Outlast WestConn, 3-2

WESTFIELD, Mass.  –    For the third time in the last 12 days, Westfield State field hockey scored late to win, defeating Western Connecticut State University, 3-2 in a non-conference game at the WestSide Athletic Complex on Thursday evening.

Kaleigh Murphy netted the game winner, batting in a contested rebound in front of the goal with 2:19 left in regulation to snap a 2-2.    The winning goal was set up when Abby Clark (Uxbridge, Mass./Blackstone) stole a WestConn pass as the Wolves tried to get the ball out of their own defensive end.

The game see-sawed back and forth as WestConn led 1-0 at the half, but Westfield equalized with Clark tallying on a feed from Morgan Beirne (Watertown, Mass.)in the 40^th minute of play.

WestConn answered 1:39 later with a goal from Stella Bandak to go up 2-1.

Westfield tied the game at 2-2 with Sadie Stauffer finding the back of the net with an assist from Maddy Barry (Norwood, Mass.) in the 4^7th minute of play, to set the stage for the late game-winner.

WestConn held a 12-8 lead in total shots, and had seven penalty corner opportunities to the Owls three.

Olivia Labrie (Southampton, Mass./Hampshire Reg.) made four saves to preserve the win for Westfield, while WestConn's Jaden Kilmer made just one save as the Owls made the most of their opportunities.

For Murphy, the goal was her eighth of the season and the third game-winner of the year.   The junior from Pembroke is developing a flair for the dramatic, having netted the OT game winner against Worcester State a dozen days ago.  The resilient Owls also won an overtime game against Salem State earlier this week.

Westfield is now 5-6 on the season.   Western Connecticut is also has a 5-6 record this season.

Westfield will return to MASCAC conference action on Saturday, hosting Bridgewater State at 3:00 p.m. on Alumni Field on Saturday.