WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State freshman forward Allie Giguere (Bishop Fenwick/Lynn, Mass.) tallied the game winner in the 56th minute to lift Westfield State to a 2-1 win over Eastern Connecticut State University in a Little East Conference field hockey game at Alumni Field on Tuesday evening.
Giguere tallied the game winner as she took the ball at the top of the circle and beat a Warriors defender before lifting a shot into the back of the net to seal the win for the Owls.
Westfield improves to 4-6 overall and 3-2 in the LEC, while Eastern falls to 2-5 and 2-3.
The Owls got on the board first, as Carly Zona (Auburn, Mass.) blasted a shot on a direct corner off of the insert from Colleen Fellows (Auburn, Mass.) in the 11th minute.
The Warriors tallied their lone goal on a penalty stroke, with Stephanie Hogan (North Branford/ Northford, Conn.) ripping a shot inside the left post in the 28th minute.
Westfield limited the Warriors to just eight total shots, with Owls' sophomore goalkeeper Katie Vamosi (Oliver Ames/ Easton, Mass.) picking up three saves. Autumn Metivier (West Springfield, Mass.) added a defensive save for the Owls.
Keira Integlia (Branford, Conn.) made six saves in goal, including a spectacular sliding save on the wet turf late in regulation. The Warriors moved the ball deep in Owls territory as regulation time was expiring. Khiara Valentine (Morristown, N.J.) had a chance at the left post as time was expiring but couldn't corral the loose ball as it slid wide over the end line as time expired in the match.
Westfield State will next travel to defending conference champion Keene State on Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. game.
Eastern Connecticut will next host Plymouth State at noon on Saturday.