Late Run from Connecticut College Drops Owls 11-9

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Connecticut College forward Kate Coughlin (Reading, Mass.) scored twice in the fourth quarter to fuel a second half rally to defeat Westfield State 11-9 on the road Wednesday night.

The Owls fall to 3-3 on the season while the Camels improve to 4-2 overall.

The Camels opened up a 5-1 advantage after the first period before Natalie DeMaio (Westwood, Mass.) snapped the scoring run with a free position goal early in the second quarter. Mykenzie Black (Hopedale, Mass.) followed with back-to-back goals within a minute of one another to trim the deficit to 5-4.

Megan Bailey (Quincy, Mass.) tallied her second goal of the night to tie the game at five apiece with just over six minutes left in the third quarter. Bailey and DeMaio led the Owls in scoring with three goals each.

Both teams traded goals, then DeMaio gave the Owls a lead heading into halftime with a free position tally with 31 seconds remaining in the period.

Mercedes Rozzi (South Burlington, Vt.) opened the third frame with a player-up marker to lead 8-6. Both teams traded goals then DeMaio closed the period with another late score, this time with 18 seconds to go in the third as the Owls led 9-7 heading to the final 15 minutes.

In the final quarter, the Owls were held scoreless with a pair of goals from Coughlin tying the contest with 9:29 left in regulation. Just over two minutes later, Aine Downey (Brookline, Mass.) found the go-ahead tally, then Campbell Johnston (Duxbury, Mass.) added an insurance marker with 3:37 left, ultimately closing the game.

Sydney Smith (Dalton, Mass.) posted a strong effort in net, racking up 11 saves on 22 shots. The Camels outshot the Owls 33-20 and held a 15-7 edge in draw controls.

Westfield State will return home for their next game as the Owls host Wheaton College from Alumni Field in Westfield, Mass. on Saturday for a noon start.