Franklin, MA- The Dean College Field Hockey team took down the University of Saint Joseph (CT) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Tuesday afternoon. The 2-1 victory moves Dean to 9-6 (5-1 GNAC) on the year, while the Blue Jays drop to 7-6 (3-3 GNAC). 

How it Happened:
-After a wild 90 seconds, the Blue Jays would be the first to score in the game. Grace Kociszewski raced to the cage on a one-on-one chance, eventually colliding with Dean keeper Sara Gardner (Hampstead, MD) to force a penalty stroke. Ariana Komonaj would take the shot, eventually burying it to make it 1-0 USJ. 
-The Blue Jays would continue their offensive ways through the end of the quarter, keeping possession with multiple penalty corners. Dean would get two shots right at the end of the quarter. Katrina Lee (Brookline, NH) and Jadyn Crowell (Bordentown, NJ) took the shots, but both were saved by keeper Jaci Felix-Hull.
-The start of the second quarter was nearly a spitting image of the first. The Blue Jays forced another penalty stroke opportunity, time time on the right side of the cage. However, Comonaj's shot sailed wide, keeping the score at one.
-Dean would have two penalty corners in the quarter, both of which unsuccessful. However, they added the pressure on the offensive side of the ball. Sydnee Ramos (New Bedford, MA) would get a pair of shots, followed by a lone chance for Jordan Boelig (Tilton, NH). At the half, USJ still led 1-0.
-The third quarter saw the tide turn in favor of the Bulldogs. Emily Yazzetti (Mahopac, NY) launched a pair of shots on-goal, one of which would find the back of the net. However, it was waved off due to shot height. 
-USJ had another crucial opportunity in front of the goal, initiated by Koceszewski. However, the Bulldogs stood tall. Sophomore Kelsey Blair (Carmel, NY) made an unbelievable defensive safe, sandwiched by two stops from Gardner.
-In the 43rd minute, Ramos would rush the goal and sneak one past the keeper, assisted by Yazzetti. The game was now tied at 1-1 heading into the final quarter of play.
-Dean continued the pressure at the start of the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs forced another penalty corner off a rush, eventually setting up an insert by Shea Cassani (Belgrade, ME). Then, off an initial shot from Yazzetti, Lee would tip the ball up front, scoring the go-ahead goal. Dean now led 2-1 with just over 13 minutes remaining.
-The Bulldogs would hang on through the final minutes of the game. Blair and Gardner continued to hold the defensive fort, and Dean's offense was able to kill clock in the final moments. In the end, Dean walked away victorious by the score of 2-1.

Standouts:
-Lee (Game-Winning Goal, 2 SOG)
-Ramos (Goal, Assist, 9 Shots, 6 SOG)
-Yazzetti (Assist, SOG)
-Blair (2 Defensive Saves)
-Gardner (8 Saves, 1 GA, 60:00 Minutes Played)

Next Up:
-Saturday, October 11th, 3:00PM at Rivier University (GNAC Contest).

For Media Inquiries:
Brett Chaves
Sports Information Director, Dean College Athletics
(508) 541-1826
BChaves@dean.edu