Falcons Open 2021 Season With 4-1 Setback To Pilgrims

Craig nets lone tally for Green and Gold 

Henniker, N.H. – The Fitchburg State University field hockey team suffered a tough 4-1 setback to the Pilgrims of New England College this afternoon in non-conference action at the Don Melander Field in the season opener for both teams.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 1, New England College 4

Records: Fitchburg State (0-1, 0-0 LEC) | New England College (1-0, 0-0 NECC)

How It Happened

New England College grabbed the lead in the 20th minute of action as graduate student Jenna Chrabolowski (Manchester, N.H.) collected a feed from classmate Guliana Kevlin (Laconia, N.H.) and found the back of the cage for her first marker on the year to make the score 1-0 going into the break.

Following the intermission, the Pilgrims doubled their margin (2-0) just 1:32 into the third frame with Chraboloski connecting for her second tally of the contest. The hosts extended its advantage in the 37th minute when junior Drea Chin (Laconia, N.H.) slipped a shot inside the near post for her first goal of the 2022 campaign for the 3-0 edge.

New England College upped the lead (4-0) at the 39:29 mark as junior Alivia Proulz (Londonderry, N.H.) settled a feed from Kevlin and notched her first marker on the season, Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 4-1 minutes later when senior Sarah Craig (Ashburnham, Mass.) riffled a shot into the back of the cage off an assist from sophomore Sophia Piper (Chelmsford, Mass.).

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest marked the 19th meeting between the two squads in the sport of field hockey with the Falcons 10-7-2 all time when taking on the Pilgrims

The two teams had split the previous four matchups (2-2) with the Falcons securing a 3-1 victory last season at Elliot Field

New England College finished with a an 18-7 margin in shots, while also holding an 11-6 edge in penalty corners

Junior Colleen Lamprey (Cherry Valley, Mass.) stopped three shots for the Falcons, while sophomore Jenna Morse (Leominster, Mass.) made three saves in her first collegiate action.

Junior Ellie Philben (Havre de Grace (Md.) turned aside four shots for the Pilgrims in the victory.

Sophomores Kaleigh Visbaras (Somerset, Mass.) and Sydney Alto (Chelmsford, Mass.) registered one defensive save each for the Green and Gold.

Up Next

Falcons return to action on Saturday as they visit Anna Maria College for a non-conference matchup with the AMCATS, starting at 11:00 AM. Pilgrims will travel to Dean College on Saturday as well for a non-conference tilt, beginning at 4:00 PM.