Field Hockey Falls to Dean, 2-1, in GNAC Road Contest Wednesday Afternoon

FRANKLIN, Mass. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) field hockey team dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision to Dean College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play Wednesday afternoon at Grant Field. With the result, the Blue Jays snapped a two-game win streak and moved to 7-6 overall and 3-3 in GNAC play, while the Bulldogs earned their third straight victory to improve to 9-6 overall and 5-1 in the league.

The Blue Jays struck first less than two minutes into the game after sophomore forward Grace Kociszewski (Thomaston, Conn.) broke free for a one-on-one opportunity with the Dean goalkeeper and was taken down inside the scoring area. A penalty stroke was awarded, and senior midfielder Ariana Komonaj (Thomaston, Conn.) stepped up and converted at 1:21, marking her sixth goal of the season and first successful penalty stroke of the year. USJ maintained its 1-0 lead through halftime behind strong defensive play and several key saves from junior goalkeeper Jaci Felix-Hull (East Lyme, Conn.), who turned aside five shots in the opening half.

Dean pulled even late in the third quarter when Sydnee Ramos scored her GNAC-leading 18th goal of the season off a pass from Emily Yazzetti at 42:29 to make it 1-1. The Bulldogs then seized the lead just 1:22 into the fourth quarter, as Katrina Lee found the back of the cage for the ninth time this year at 46:22 on an assist from Ramos to put Dean ahead 2-1.

USJ pushed for an equalizer in the closing minutes, firing 17 total shots — including 12 on goal — and earning five penalty corners, but could not solve Dean goalkeeper Sara Gardner, who finished with eight saves in the win. Felix-Hull recorded nine stops for the Blue Jays to keep the contest close.

Senior forward Aurelia Barker (Thomaston, Conn.) paced the USJ attack with five shots, all on target, while Kociszewski added three shots on goal.

UP NEXT

The USJ field hockey team will look to get back in the win column when it returns to action Saturday, Oct. 11 for a GNAC matchup on the road at Regis College. The action between the Blue Jays and Pride is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. from Regis Stadium in Weston, Mass.

Follow USJ Athletics
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph Athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays