Field Hockey Defeated by Clark 6-2

Framingham, Mass. – Junior Mel Melkonian  (Worcester, Mass.) tallied four goals and an assist to lead the Clark University field hockey team to a 6-2 win today over the Framingham State Rams in non-conference action at Maple Street Field. 

With the win, the Cougars improve to 9-6 on the season, while the Rams fall to 4-13.

The Rams jumped out to a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the game when they scored off a penalty corner. Sophomore Kaitlyn Ranieri (Bellingham, Mass.) sent the ball to junior Cali Tetreault (New Bedford, Mass.) at the top of the circle and Tetrault slipped a pass to freshman Rhea Urbaniak (Chelmsford, Mass.).  Urbaniak fired a shot inside the far post for her first collegiate goal.

Clark answered with a pair of goals in the 13^th and 15^th minutes to take the lead for good.  The Cougars first goal came off a corner when Melkonian took a pass from Erin Murphy (Boxboro, Mass.) and blasted a shot from the top of the circle into the back of the cage.  The Cougars second goal also came off a corner with Melkonian scoring off a feed from senior Tessa Mazzeo (Lincoln Park, NJ).

The Cougars extended their lead to 3-1 in the 22^nd minute as Melkonian completed the hat trick scoring on a penalty stroke after she had been taken down in the circle.

The Rams answered with a goal on a penalty corner in the closing minutes of the half to cut their deficit to 3-2 at the break.  Ranieri once again inserted the ball to Tetreault who fired a shot at the goal that was deflected past the keeper by sophomore Demi Miskiv (Centerville, Mass.).

Clark would add three goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half to take control and put the game out of reach.  Sophomore Talia Fish (Philadelphia, PA) collected a loose ball that deflected off the Rams goalie and found the back of the net in the 47^th minute.  Two minutes later Melkonian added her 4^th of the game when she scored unassisted after dribbling into the circle and drawing the goal keeper off her line.  A minute later Meghan Lennon (Charlton, Mass.) sent the ball to Melkonian on a corner and Melkonian launched a shot at the cage that Murphy deflected into the goal.

The Cougars outshot the Rams 24-6 in the game, while each team took eight penalty corners.  Junior Sarah Ryan (Uxbridge, Mass.) allowed six goals with 12 saves before giving way to Kay Smith (Dorchester, Mass.) who picked up a save.  Senior Kate McGrath (Wilmington, Mass.) started in the cage for the Cougars and surrendered two goals with no saves, while sophomore Jordannah Saunders made two saves in relief.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Keene State at 10:30 a.m., while the Cougars host Wheelock on Thursday at 7 p.m.