Field Hockey Blanks Becker 3-0

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University field hockey team tallied three second half goals as they defeated Becker College 3-0 in non-conference action this afternoon at Maple Street Field.   

With the victory the Rams improve to 6-4 on the season, while the Hawks fall to 0-12 after the loss.

Neither team could find the back of the cage in the first half as the Rams outshot the Hawks 15-2.  Sophomore Gabrielle Gallo (Northport, NY) was solid in goal for the Hawks in the frame making 11 stops including stopping a pair of shots from senior Kaitlyn Ranieri (Bellingham, Mass.) on a penalty corner in the closing minutes.

The Rams struck first just over 10 minutes into the second half as they scored a pair of goals a minute apart. First, sophomore Alina Willing (Natick, Mass.) fired a shot on goal that Gallo saved, but the loose ball went right to freshman Cydnie Guerra (Orange, Mass.) who knocked it home for her first collegiate marker.  A minute later, the Rams sent a flurry of shots on the cage that Gallo was able to save.  Sophomore Samantha Pajer (Leicester, Mass.) ended up with the ball and sent a pass to junior Rhea Urbaniak (Chelmsford, Mass.) who deposited it in the back of the cage for the 2-0 advantage with 23:07 left on the clock.

The Hawks best scoring chance came with 17 minutes left in the game as senior Michelle Griczika (Barre, Mass.) took possession near midfield and carried the ball towards the cage on a breakaway.  Junior Emma Littlefield (Rockport, Mass.) came out of nowhere for the Rams defense and was able to break up the play before Griczika could get a shot off in the circle.

The Rams would add a final tally with just under seven minutes remaining as they converted on one of their 20 penalty corners in the game.  Littlefield fed Ranieri with a pass on the right side and Ranieri blasted a shot for her seventh marker of the season.

The Rams outshot the Hawks 36-5 in the game. Gallo registered 26 saves for the visitors, while freshman Sarah Palace (Auburn, Mass.) recorded her second shutout of the season making three stops.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Little East Conference foe Fitchburg State at 11 a.m., while the Hawks host Regis in an NECC match-up on Saturday at noon.