The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference

BABSON PARK, Mass. -- Fourth-seeded Springfield College received two goals from junior Jane Kelleher (Chatham, Mass.) and another from senior Brittany Veazie (Dexter, Maine) as the Pride defeated top-seeded Babson College, 3-1, in the semifinals of the 2007 NEWMAC Field Hockey Championship Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Pride (18-3), ranked first in New England East and 14th in the country, advance to Sunday's championship game at Babson at 1 p.m. The Beavers (14-7), ranked second in New England East, lost for just the second time in their last 15 games and will now hope for a potential at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced on Sunday night.

Kelleher gave Springfield a 1-0 lead at 9:12, as she took a fast break pass from junior Allie Eisele (Walton, N.Y.), made a move around sophomore goalie Emily Cohen (West Grove, Pa.), and tucked a shot inside the far left post for the game's first goal. The junior midfielder then made it 2-0 with her second goal of the contest when she took a pass from senior Eileen Jenkins (Gorham, Maine) and ripped a shot from the right side that glanced off a defenders stick and in at 37:33. The Pride eventually took that two-goal advantage into the break.

Veazie continued Springfield's offensive assault early in the second half, as she scored an unassisted goal on a reverse sweep from in front to make it 3-0 at 45:38. Babson got one goal back when sophomore Alyssa L'Bassi (Shrewsbury, Mass.) scored from the right side off an assist from sophomore Jess Paladino (Turner, Maine) at 57:18, but that would be the Beavers' only score of the day as the Pride held on for the 3-1 victory.

Senior Emma Kaplan (Ridgefield, Conn.) played brilliantly in net for Springfield, finishing with nine saves. Cohen also played well in net for Babson, making seven stops, while senior tri-captain Michele Farley (Skowhegan, Maine) added a defensive save.

2007 NEWMAC FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT - SEMIFINALS AT BABSON

#14 Springfield College vs Babson College (Nov 03, 2007 at Babson Park, MA)

Springfield College (18-3) vs. Babson College (14-7)
Date: Nov 03, 2007 Attendance: 57

Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Springfield College. 1 2 - 3
Babson College...... 0 1 - 1

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 9:12 SPR Jane Kelleher (Allie Eisele)
2. 37:33 SPR Jane Kelleher (Eileen Jenkins)
3. 45:38 SPR Brittany Veazie (unassisted)
4. 57:18 BAB Alyssa L'Bassi (Jess Paladino) - Penalty corner

Shots: Springfield College 13, Babson College 13
Saves: Springfield College 9 (Emma Kaplan 9), Babson College 8 (Emily
Cohen 7; TEAM 1)

#4 Springfield advances to Sunday's championship game at Babson at 1 p.m.

Springfield Upsets Top-Seeded Babson, 3-1, in NEWMAC Field Hockey Semifinals