FRANKLIN, Mass. – Junior
Emma Gragen (Brattleboro, Vt.) scored a monumental goal on Thursday afternoon. The forward found the back of the net for her 50
th career point, securing the 3-2 win in overtime against Nichols College. With the win, Dean improves to 9-3 overall, while the Bison drop to 4-7.
Notables:
-Gragen is now the fourth player for field hockey to reach a milestone this season and the second to reach 50 career points.
Emily Kilpatrick (Marion, Mass.) reached the mark earlier this year at Regis College.
-This is Dean's third overtime victory this season and their second at home. The team previously beat Plymouth State 7-6 on the road and Simmons University 1-0 at home.
How it Happened:
-The teams battled through a scoreless first half, with Dean generating several scoring opportunities. The Bulldogs recorded eight shots over the opening two quarters and earned five penalty corners, but Nichols goalkeeper Fallyn Belisle and the Bison defense kept Dean off the scoreboard.
-Dean broke their drought in the middle section of the third quarter. Kilpatrick scored at 37:28 to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Dean continued to pressure the Nichols defense, recording five shots in the period and earning three penalty corners.
-Nichols answered early in the fourth quarter, as Emma Bianculli scored off an assist from Alyse Mutti at 47:34 to even the contest at 1-1.
-Ten minutes later, Dean responded with another strong offensive push. Kilpatrick struck for her second of the game at 57:43 to put the Bulldogs back in front, 2-1.
-Nichols refused to go away in the final minutes of regulation. Lily Gibson scored off another Mutti assist at 59:06 to tie the game at 2-2 and force overtime. Dean finished regulation with an 18-10 advantage in shots and an 11-3 edge in penalty corners.
-The Bulldogs wasted little time in the extra period. At 61:40, Gragen found the back of the net off an assist from
Emily Yazzetti (Mahopac, N.Y.), securing the 3-2 victory and sending Dean home with the overtime win.
Standouts:
-Gragen (50
th Career Point, SOG, 2 Shots)
-Kilpatrick (2 Goals, 4 SOG, 5 Shots)
-Yazzetti (Assist, 2 SOG, 4 Shots)
-
Sara Gardner (Hampstead, Md.) (6 Saves, 2 GA, 60:00 Minutes Played)
Next Up:
-
SENIOR DAY: Saturday, October 10
th, 1:00PM vs. Elms College (GNAC Contest / Grant Field)
For Media Inquiries:
Brett Chaves
Sports Information Director, Dean College Athletics
(508) 541-1826
BChaves@dean.edu
