Strage, Fortier lead field hockey to overtime win

WATERVILLE, Maine — Misha Strage (Westport, Conn.) and Megan Fortier (Falmouth, Maine) have been Colby’s College’s big scorers all season and Monday night they combined on a golden goal in the Mules’ 2-1 overtime win against University of New England at Bill Alfond Field.

The Mules improve to 5-3 overall heading into Saturday’s noon start at Middlebury College. The Nor’easters drop to 6-4 overall and play host to Gordon College on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

 

Colby struck quickly in overtime on a nice individual effort by Fortier. She stick-handled in from the left side and came together at the same time with a defender and UNE goalie Holly Smith (Peabody, Mass.). Fortier pushed at the ball and it deflected right to Strage streaking up the middle and she scored her eighth goal of the season.

 

Strage also has one assist with the eight goals for 17 points, while Fortier leads the Mules with seven goals and five assists for 19 points.

 

The Mules took a 1-0 halftime lead when McKayla Blanch (Tewksbury, Mass.) scored her first of the season off an assist from Hannah Hearn (Auburn, Maine). Hearn won a ball and pushed a pass to Blanch in the middle of the field for the score.

 

With 9:25 left in regulation, Nicole Matarozzo tied the game for UNE off a pass from Vonde Saunders. The Nor’easters had been putting heavy pressure on the Mules for about five minutes. Matarozzo was able to find some space in front and scored easily.

 

Sarah Evans stopped four shots in goal for the Mules, while Smith made five stops for UNE.

Colby 2, U. New England 1

UNE       0#1#0–1

Colby     1#0#1–2

 

Scoring summary

1st half

C: McKayla Blanch (Hannah Hearn), 31:15

2nd half

UNE: Nicole Matarozzo (Vonde Saunders), 60:35

Overtime

C: Misha Strage (Megan Fortier), 70:35

Shots: UNE 13, Colby 15. Penalty corners: UNE 5, Colby 6. Goalies: Holly Smith, UNE, 70:35, 2 GA, 5 saves); Sarah Evans (Colby, 70:35, 1 GA, 4 saves).