NEWBERRY – The Newberry College field hockey team (6-11, 1-7 ECAC) closed out the regular season Sunday afternoon against Mercy (7-11, 2-6 ECAC), falling by a score of 3-1. The Wolves end the season with six wins, shattering the program record for most wins in a season.
Seniors Talya Stocksdale, Caitlyn Warren, Courtlyn Warren and Katie Thompson were all honored following the contest at Setzler Field. This marks Newberry College field hockey’s first-ever senior class.
Caitlyn Warren finishes her career as Newberry’s all-time points leader with 66 points. Dakota Elzy recorded the most wins in a season with five. Newberry also posted five wins against NCAA Division II opponents, the most in school history.
The Mavericks have clinched the final spot in the ECAC Division II Field Hockey Tournament after defeating Newberry.
Meghan Jolikko had a great scoring opportunity within the first two minutes. She received ball the from Kristyna Oyola on the penalty corner and lifted her shot just high of the net. Elzy notched two quick saves to keep Mercy off the board.
The Mavericks broke the tie in the 22nd minute as Catherine Brudi crossed the ball and Angela Robbins tipped home the shot for her third goal of the season. Courtlyn Warren had opportunity to tie the contest before halftime, but her shot sailed just wide right.
After Mercy scored early in the second half, Newberry started to push further up the field. Caitlyn Warren had her shot blocked off of a penalty corner and Daja Graham tipped her shot wide of the net.
Newberry pulled the goaltender for an extra field player for the last 13 plus minutes of the contest. Jolikko had two point blank opportunities saved after a great move by the Mercy goaltender. Caitlyn Warren’s rocket shot was also saved by the Mavericks.
The Wolves got on the board in the 63rd minute. Graham found a loose ball in the circle, dribbled in and finished on the right side for her first goal of the season. Newberry continued to press to tie the contest, but the Mercy defense held strong for the 3-1 victory.
Newberry outshot the Mavericks 19-8, but both teams had seven shots on goal. Elzy notched three saves on the afternoon and Maia Lee recorded a defensive save. Robbins scored two goals for Mercy.
Newberry will host the ECAC Division II Field Hockey Tournament Nov. 4-6 at Setzler Field.
On Thursday night, two first half goals by Brady Keeler and Jessica Cooke led the Newberry College field hockey team (6-10) over Belmont Abbey (3-12) Thursday night by a score of 2-0 at Setzler Field. The Wolves extended their school record with their sixth win of the season.
Newberry scored quickly right out of the gate in the 5th minute. Keeler deflected a pass from Courtlyn Warren into the right side of the net to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead. Courtlyn Warren notched the assist on Keeler’s goal.
Newberry continued to apply pressure as they kept the ball on Belmont Abbey’s side of the field. Haley Smith’s shot was blocked by a Crusader defender. Cooke scooped up the loose ball and fired it in the left side of the net. Cooke’s goal gave Newberry a 2-0 lead it would not relinquish.
Belmont Abbey picked up the pace in the second half. Dakota Elzy made two saves to keep the Crusaders off the board. After a Belmont Abbey foul, Elise Utne stepped up to the penalty spot. Her shot pushed just wide right of the net.
The Crusaders looked for a goal towards the end of the contest. Elzy notched a save and two more Belmont Abbey shots sailed wide of the net as Newberry preserved the shutout in the closing minutes.
Caitlyn Warren notched three shots on goal. Elzy recorded six saves in the shutout victory. Demetria Barrow tallied four shots for Belmont Abbey. Anna Fleetwood saved five shots on the night.