University of Maine
Harvard
Black Bears Down Harvard, 2-1
9/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- The University of Maine field hockey squad defeated Harvard University by a score of 2-1 on day one of the Sheraton Catamount Classic Saturday afternoon. Michelle Niedziejko's (West Chester, Pa.) goal with just under 10-minutes remaining in regulation proved to be the difference maker for the Black Bears. The win moves Maine to 3-2 on the season while Harvard picks up its first loss and falls to 2-1.
Junior forward Kelly Newton (Vancouver, British Columbia) kick started the scoring for Maine when she found the back of the cage 8:11 into the first half. The goal came when Stephanie Gardiner (Vancouver, British Columbia) sent a long ball towards the Harvard goalkeeper. Newton got a stick on the ball, tipping the shot past Harvard's Cynthia Tassopoulos.
Harvard would tie things up at the 15:50 mark when Rachael Rosenfeld beat Maine goalkeeper Brittany Fleck (Vancouver, British Columbia). Harvard sent a couple shots in on Fleck before the ball was rebounded and controlled by Harvard's Chloe Keating. Keating settled the ball and sent a little pass to Rosenfeld who then deposited the ball into the Maine cage.
After nearly fifty-minutes of scoreless play, the Black Bears would regain a lead that would not slip away. With just under 10-minutes remaining in regulation, Newton sent a centering pass from the right side that found Niedziejko's stick. Niedziejko then slipped a bouncing ball past Tassopoulos to give Maine the 2-1 lead.
Fleck improves her personal record to 3-1 on the season after making four saves in the cage for the Black Bears. Tassopoulos picks up the loss and drops to 2-1 on the young season.
Maine is back in action tomorrow at noon when they take on Pacific in day two of the Sheraton Catamount Classic.
