Sept. 5, 2008

Box Score

HANOVER, N.H. - A first half goal by Jill Powers and a second half goal by Katie Kelly led UMass field hockey to a 2-0 over Dartmouth in the inaugural game at Chase Field on Friday afternoon. Freshman Alesha Widdall made three saves in goal to earn her second-straight shutout and Erin Parker and Makaela Potts assisted on the two goals, which both came off penalty corners.

The Minutewomen earned 11 corners on the day to Dartmouth's five. UMass also controlled the game in shots, 18-8, with Potts leading the way with four. Ashley Hines led the Big Green with three shots.

After an insertion off a penalty corner was off the mark, Parker recovered the ball and dribbled along the left end line and fired a pass at a sharp angle that Powers tipped in to give the Minutewomen a 1-0 lead 31:13 into the game. For Powers, it was her third goal in as many games and Parker earned her first assist of the season.

UMass took a slim 1-0 lead into halftime despite dominating play throughout. The Minutewomen outshot the Big Green in the period, 11-1, and out-cornered it, 6-1.

At the 20:50 mark of the second half, on the Minutewomen's 11th corner of the day, Potts ripped a shot towards the right post where Kelly tipped it in for her first goal of the season and fourth of her career. For the sophomore Potts, it was the first point of her career.

The UMass defense was then able to absorb lots of Dartmouth pressure in the latter stages of the game, particularly when the Minutewomen played for five minutes while a player down when Kelly was issued a yellow card with 17:51 to go.

Widdall ensured her second-straight shutout victory with an impressive diving save to her right to stop what looked like a sure Big Green goal with 9 minutes left.

Powers, a junior transfer from Rhode Island, has now scored 17 goals in her career, 10 of which have been game-winners.

The Minutewomen return to action on Sunday when they take on Northeastern on the road at 2 p.m.