Field Hockey Downs Clark in Overtime, Secures No. Two Seed in NEWMAC Tournament

Courtesy of Clark Universityt Sports Information

Worcester, Mass. - MIT freshman Lia DiGiovanna scored the game's only goal in the final minutes of the first overtime to lift the visiting Engineers to a 1-0 win over host Clark, denying the Cougars their first NEWMAC title since 2002.

The two teams end conference play at 5-3, with the Engineers holding the tiebreaker because of the head-to-head victory.

In a game that figured to be a high-scoring affair with three of the NEWMAC's top ten scorers in action, proved to be anything but as defense ruled the night.

MIT held a 12-8 edge in shots and a slight 5-4 advantage in penalty corners.

Clark looked as if it might take the lead late in regulation but senior Lauren Blake had her shot turned away by Engineer netminder Keri Dixon in the 68th minute.

Overtime was winding down when Kameron Klauber found DiGiovanna for a goal that she snuck into the left corner of the cage with 2:40 left.

Cougar netminder Kathryn Dawsey turned back seven shots, while Dixon made three stops.

MIT improves to 14-4 overall and locks up the No. 2 seed in the upcoming NEWMAC Tournament, while Clark slips to 8-6, but will host a quarterfinal match on Saturday. Before that, however, the Cougars will host Wheelock in a non-conference meeting on Thursday in what will be the final home game for the program's seven seniors.