One goal separated MIT from Wheaton College Goals by Krishnamachar ’15, Moroi ’16 propel MIT field hockey team to 3-2 victory
MIT Ambika M. Krishnamachar ’15 netted the go-ahead goal midway through the second half, which proved to be the difference as the Engineers defeated Wheaton College, 3-2, in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Tuesday afternoon at Mirrione Stadium. With the win, MIT improves to 7-3-2 overall and 3-0-1 in conference play, while Wheaton falls to 7-5-1 and 1-2-0.
Following back-to-back shots by Kathleen H. Chen ’17 and Michelle Battipaglia ’15, Morgan K. Moroi ’16 found the back of the net on MIT’s third shot of the match at 8:43. Moroi collected a feed in the box from Battipaglia and fired a shot past two Wheaton defenders for her third goal of the season to provide the Engineers with a 1-0 lead.
Moroi extended Tech’s advantage roughly 10 minutes later when she directed a shot to the top left corner of the Lyons’ cage at 18:56. After recording their second goal, MIT’s offense continued to pressure Wheaton’s defense with shots by Krishnamachar and Moroi, but two of the attempts were turned away by Wheaton goalkeeper Ali Hinton, while the other shot was blocked.
Wheaton sliced the deficit at 30:30 when Laila Razzaghi scored her first goal of the season following a pass from Kaitlin Montoya. Razzaghi located the back of MIT’s net by directing a cross from Montoya from the sidelines into the lower right corner. Lauren Corigliano evened the score at 2-2 with her eighth goal of the season at 39:49. Corigliano directed her only shot of the half toward the crossbar that deflected into the Engineers goal.
Krishnamachar pushed MIT ahead for good midway through the second half when she rushed down field, reversed direction in the box and fired a shot past Hinton’s fingertips into the right corner at 67:44 for her third goal of the season. Wheaton tried to respond following Tech’s third marker, but their various shots sailed wide.
Wheaton held an advantage in shots, 17-16, and 3-1 margin in corner. Krishnamachar and Wheaton senior Kelsee Howes (Maynard, Mass.) recorded six shots, respectively. MIT goalkeeper Lauren S. Ullmann ’17 turned away four shots, while Hinton recorded three saves.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. as MIT travels to Clark University, while Wheaton heads to Springfield College.