SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 17, 2015) - The University of New England field hockey team rallied from a second half deficit to force overtime, before prevailing 2-1 over Western New England University in a penalty shootout on senior day today in Commonwealth Coast Conference action at Golden Bear Stadium.

Sophomore forward Allison Jackson (Mahopac, N.Y.) gave Western New England a 1-0 lead in the 52^nd minute with her team-leading seventh goal of the season, while sophomore goalkeeper Grace Trupe (Cardiff, Calif.) made a game-high nine saves.

Senior defender Kaitlyn Labbe (Augusta, Maine) helped keep the contest scoreless with a pair of clutch defensive saves, one of which came early in the second overtime session on a point blank shot by Nor'easters freshman Kersey Boulay (Liberty, Maine).

After a scoreless opening half, Jackson got the Golden Bears on the board following a penalty corner by sophomore forward Michelle Carlson (Hackettstown, N.J.) at the 51:18 mark. Carlson sent a pass to Jackson, who fired a shot through a group of defenders and past Nor'easters junior goalkeeper Holly Smith (Peabody, Mass.).

Western New England's lead would be short lived, however, as the visitors equalized less than nine minutes later. Boulay delivered a penalty corner pass to junior forward Nicole Matarozzo (Wolfeboro, N.H.) and then positioned herself in front of the goal, where she would redirect Matarozzo's shot past Trupe to tie the score at 1-1.

The two teams played through two 15 minute overtime sessions, before the visiting Nor'easters prevailed 2-0 in the penalty stroke shootout.  

Prior to the start of this afternoon's game, the Golden Bears honored their four seniors, Labbe, Katherine Ferrari (Westport Point, Mass.), Sabrina Lyesiuk (Orange, Mass.) and Ashley Curry (Arlington, Mass.) for their contributions to the field hockey program over the past four years.

Western New England (6-7, 3-5 CCC)  opens a three-game week on Tuesday afternoon at Nichols College, while the University of New England (11-5, 8-1 CCC) returns to action next Friday, also at Nichols.