No. 5 Merrimack Tops 10th-ranked Bentley, 4-1
WALTHAM, Mass. – Junior defender Sarah Dunbar (Hubbardston, Mass.) scored two goals and the No. 5 Merrimack field hockey team downed 10th-ranked Bentley, 4-1, on Thursday night in the first of two matchups between the two Northeast-10 Conference rivals this season.
Winners of two straight, the Warriors (2-1) held a one-goal advantage early in the second half before Dunbar's back-to-back strikes rounded out the scoring to seal the win for the visitors.
The Falcons (2-2) held a 9-7 advantage in shot attempts in the first half, but Merrimack dominated the second stanza by virtue of its 11-4 lead in shots.
For the third straight game this season, senior goalkeeper Kerri Bergquist (Mashpee, Mass.) reached a double-digit total in saves, as the reigning NE-10 Goalkeeper of the Year turned aside 10 shots to earn her second win of the season. Julia Powell managed four stops for the home side.
Senior captain Jen Otis (Peacook, N.H.) found the back of the cage for the first time this season at 25:44 of the first half on an unassisted strike to give the Warriors an early 1-0 advantage that would hold until the break.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, junior forward Candace Waldie (North Andover, Mass.) took a pass from senior April Daugherty (Lincoln, R.I.) and beat Powell for her team-leading third goal of the season, making it 2-0 in favor of the visitors.
Beth Maguire would answer with Bentley's only goal of the night before Dunbar responded with back-to-back goals to push Merrimack well ahead.
First, the junior redirected a shot from freshman Christine Zubkus (Dover, N.H.) in front of the cage to up the edge to 3-1, and less than three minutes later, Dunbar buried a loose rebound to earn her second goal, rounding out the scoring for the evening with Merrimack comfortably ahead by three.
"We had a very strong second half," head coach Anne Rounce said afterward. "I was really pleased with how much better we came out after the break and how focused we were on the attack.
In total, the Warriors held an 18-13 lead in shot attempts to compliment a 7-4 edge in penalty corners.
"Overall, a great all-around team effort. We're looking forward to hosting St. Mike's next Wednesday," Rounce said.
After playing three contests in five days, the Warriors now break for nearly a week before welcoming St. Michael's next Wednesday, Sept. 12, for their home opener. First whistle at Martone-Mejail Field is set for 3:30 p.m.
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