Field Hockey Falls to UMass Dartmouth 3-0

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University field hockey team suffered their first defeat of the young season, a 3-0 loss to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth this afternoon in  Little East Conference (LEC) action at Maple Street Field.     

With the loss, the Rams fall to 3-1 on the year and 1-1 in the conference, while the Corsairs improve to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the LEC.

UMass Dartmouth took the lead for good just under four minutes into the game when freshman forward Cory Connolly (Duxbury, Mass.) tallied her first of two in the game.  After a scramble in front of the net, Connolly controlled a loose ball and placed a shot into the back of the cage for the 1-0 lead.

The game would remain 1-0 into the break with the Corsairs outshooting the Rams 9-1 in the opening half, but FSU goalie Sarah Ryan (Uxbridge, Mass.) kept the Rams in the game making seven saves in the frame.

UMass Dartmouth extened their lead just under five minutes into the second as they converted on one of their 19 penalty corners in the game.  Junior Victoria Dolce (Jamestown, RI) inserted the ball to senior Taryn Cardiel (Moorpark, CA) and Cardiel found the back of the goal.

Late in the game, Connolly added her second unassisted goal as she knocked home a rebound with 7:02 remaining to reach the final margin.

Ryan finished the game with 14 saves for the Rams as the Corsairs held a 20-3 advantage in shots for the game.  Junior Lauren O'Brien (Rochester, Mass.) recorded the win making three saves.

The Rams return to action on Tuesday when they host Gordon at 4 p.m., while the Corsairs host Tufts on Wednesday at 6 p.m.