Shorewomen Advance to Centennial Conference Tournament Despite 3-2 Loss to McDaniel

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- Visiting McDaniel College rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to post a 3-2 Centennial Conference field hockey win over host Washington College in the Centennial Conference opener for both teams this afternoon on Kibler Field at Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium. The Green Terror finish their season 9-8 overall and 4-6 in conference play. Despite the loss, the Shorewomen (9-9, 5-5) clinched the fifth and final spot in the Centennial Conference Tournament by virtue of Haverford's win over Swarthmore earlier today. 

The Shorewomen got on the board 3:25 into the game when senior defender Hillary Kane (Rhinebeck, NY/Millbrook School) scored on a high shot off a corner feed from sophomore attack Claire McAuliffe (Clarksville, MD/Glenelg Country School). Washington quickly added a second goal 2:52 later when sophomore midfielder Kate Duggan (Huntingdon Valley, PA/Academy of the New Church) redirected in a ball sent by senior attack Gabby Tarbert (Bel Air, MD/C. Milton Wright) to give the Shorewomen a 2-0 lead. The Green Terror got on the board with 12:09 left in the first half when Paige Messersmith blasted in a ball from near the top of the circle off a corner from Katie Corson. Messersmith evened the score when she beat a defender in transition and fired in a goal with 3:04 to play in the first half. 

Neither team scored again until 12:58 remained in the second half when Messersmith scored her third goal of the game and 16th of the season on a blast on the run. The Shorewomen recorded three penalty corners and three shots in the final four minutes of the game, but could not find the equalizer.

McDaniel held a 14-13 advantage in shots in the game. Washington had a 12-11 edge in penalty corners.  Vicci Alexander made five saves in goal for the Green Terror. Junior goalkeeper Steph Harryman (Churchton, MD/Southern) made three for the Shorewomen.

The Shorewomen will play at fourth-seeded Ursinus Wednesday in the Centennial Conference Tournament first round game.  Game time will be announced Monday.