McNeil's OT Goal Lifts Field Hockey at Saint Michael's; Rounce Nets 100th Career Win
Links: Box Score
COLCHESTER, Vt. – After reaching overtime for the second consecutive game, the Merrimack College field hockey team would get a goal from sophomore Mary McNeil (Canton, Mass.) just two minutes into the extra frame to give the Warriors their first win of 2016, while head coach Anne Rounce netted her 100th career coaching victory in the win at Saint Michael's on Wednesday afternoon.
The Basics
Score (OT): Merrimack 2, Saint Michael's 1
Records: Merrimack (1-4, 1-1 NE-10) | Saint Michael's (2-4, 0-2 NE-10)
Location: Doc Jacobs Field | Colchester, Vt.
How It Happened
- First Half – The Warriors dominated the game on both sides of the ball in the opening half on Tuesday, not allowing a single shot from the Purple Knights in the first 35 minutes. On the other end of the field, Merrimack fired off eight shots throughout the half including five on goal, but was unable to find the back of the net before the intermission.
- 64' – The Navy and Gold continued their strong play in the second half, again finding themselves favored in the statistics, but saw more push-back from Saint Michael's in the latter frame. But Merrimack's relentless offense would finally pay off with just over six minutes remaining in regulation as junior Taylor Simpson (York, Maine) would net her first of the season to put the Warriors up 1-0 late.
- 70' – In a last-ditch effort as time wound down, the Purple Knights would break up a Merrimack penalty corner and take it all the way down field and earn a penalty corner for themselves. With 15 seconds remaining, Saint Michael's would net the game-tying goal to second the Warriors to overtime for the second straight game.
- 72' – Under two minutes into overtime, the reigning Northeast-10 Conference Rookie of the Year would net her second goal of the season and give Merrimack its first win and NE-10 win of the season as McNeil put home a redirected pass from senior Nicole Bradley (Essex, Mass.) inside the post to snag the victory in Vermont.
Inside The Numbers
- McNeil picks up her second goal and fifth point of the season after her 14-goal, 39-point campaign as a freshman. Her goal Wednesday also marks the fifth game-winning score of her young career.
- Simpson's goal is her first of and is the 26th goal of the junior's career. That number already ranks her seventh in the program's history.
- The Warriors offense continues to put up good number in games, as they are averaging 16.4 shots per game while putting up an impressive 62% shots on goal percentage as a team.
- Shots: MC – 20 // STM - 5
- SOG: MC – 11 // STM - 3
Up Next
The Warriors return home on Saturday when they host Franklin Pierce for a NE-10 contest at Martone-Mejail Field at 6:00 p.m.
--
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
