Field Hockey: Husson drops season opener to New England‏

BANGOR, Maine - New England (Maine) defeated Husson 4-1 on Wednesday evening inside Winkin Sports Complex in the first game of the year for both teams. The Eagles fall to 12-7 all-time in season openers.

Vonde Saunders gave New England (1-0), which reached the second round of the NCAA Division III National Championship a season ago, a 1-0 lead with a goal in the eighth minute. Olivia Madore gave the Nor'Easters a 2-0 edge with a successful penalty stroke in the 31st minute.

Despite trailing at the half, Husson (0-1) outshot the visitors 12-7 in the first 35 minutes and 27-13 in the game.

Nicole Matarozzo made the score 3-0 in the 38th minute with a goal off a deflection and then scored again in the 48th minute off an assist by Alyssa Kowal.

Taylor Lovely scored the first goal of the season for the Eagles in the 62nd minute with an assist by Mikayla Toth.

Matarozzo and Saunders each had four shots.

Toth had a game-high six shots.

Goalkeeper Holly Smith (1-0) made 13 saves in the win.

Kaitlin Dolloff (0-1) recorded six saves for Husson.

The Eagles travel to Gordon (Mass.) on Friday for a scheduled 5 p.m. ET start.