Field hockey scores four goals in NESCAC victory at Colby

The Hamilton College Continentals claimed a solid 4-1 victory at NESCAC over rival Colby College at Bill Alfond Field in Colby on Saturday afternoon.

A strong defensive performance and goals from four Continentals helped Hamilton (6-2, 3-2 NESCAC) improve his ranking at NESCAC. The Continentals face the nationally ranked No.3 Tufts University on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. in Medford, Massachusetts.

Hamilton started the game with offensive pressure and forced a penalty corner less than a minute into the first quarter. A good shot Hannah dillon ’24 deflected a Colby defenseman, but the Continentals held onto possession.

Tracey Stafford ’23 scored the Continentals’ first goal with 3:20 left in the first quarter. After a hard blow from Lexi takashima ’22 was blocked, Stafford took possession of the circle and released a shot which was blocked. A quick rebound gave her another chance and she pushed the ball between goalie Emily Loeb and a Colby defender. Stafford has three goals this season and eight for his career at Hamilton.

Less than two minutes later, Alana king ’24 added to Hamilton’s lead with 1:42 left in the first. King sent a long pass from the right side of the field into the circle with the offensive advantage of 3-2. King shot a hard ball straight into Loeb’s legs for his second goal in as many games.

Colby (4-2, 1-2) had a chance at the end of the first quarter with a shot from Sandrine Brien which was blocked by a solid defense from Hamilton. The Mules kept their momentum going in the second quarter and fired a first base from Pernilla Shaw’s stick under a minute. A foul on the Continentals outside the circle gave Colby’s offense the opportunity to get a rare ball in the circle. Shaw passed the goalie’s left side Maggie Reville ’22, and Kaitlyn Smith got the assist.

The Continentals responded with a goal of Maura holden ’23 from the penalty spot in the 18th minute. Delaney Grace ’25 took the corner and gave a free pass to Keeley Duran ’22 at the top of the circle. Duran’s hard blow was knocked down by Holden as he made his way to the back of the cage. Holden leads the team with six goals and 12 points, and Hamilton is 5-1 when she scores.

Duran started the defense later in the quarter with a defensive save on a Smith shot. The Continentals kept up the offensive pressure late in the quarter as they scored four penalty corners and three shots, but were kept at bay by Colby’s defense.

Hamilton’s last goal came off Dillon’s bat with 6:52 left in the fourth quarter after another excellent corner pass from Grace. From the top of the circle, Dillon sent the ball between the defense’s feet and into the cage for his first goal with the Continentals.

A late green card to Colby defender Erin Quirk with 3:03 to go sealed the victory for the Continentals. Hamilton dominated the Mules 13-7 and led 9-2 in corners.