Box Score NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--Alexa DeJesus (Somerset, Mass./Somerset) scored twice, including the game winning goal with 40 seconds remaining in regulation as the Smith College field hockey team grabbed a 2-1 win over Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) field hockey action on Tuesday afternoon. 

The win improves Smith's record to 7-7 overall, and 2-4 in NEWMAC play.  WPI is now 5-9, and 2-5 against NEWMAC foes.  The seven wins are the most for Smith since the 2008 season, while it was the first time Smith had beaten WPI since that same 2008 season.

It was the Engineers who opened the scoring, getting on the board 55 seconds into the contest.  A loose ball in front of the net fell on the stick of Amy Misera, who rammed home her third goal of the season for an early WPI lead.

Smith went on the attack, as DeJesus and Allie Stein (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) shot wide, while Nora Demick (Watertown, Mass/Beaver Country Day) stuffed WPI's Libbi Richardson at the other end, and Richardson's followup attempt sailed wide.

Demick was outstanding in the first half, turning aside four consecutive shots as the Engineers tried to double their lead, but it remained 1-0 at halftime.

The Pioneers continued the onslaught in the opening minutes of the second half, earning a pair of penalty corners that led to shots by Stein and Emma Camilleri (Florence, Mass./Wilbraham & Monson). 

DeJesus leveled the game for Smith in the 43rd minute.  Sara Mercier (Portland, Maine/McAuley)'s attempt rebounded to Stein, who slid a pass to DeJesus, who tapped in for her eighth goal of the year.

Dari Goulden (Rutledge, Pa./Strath Haven) kept the game tied with a defensive save on WPI's Caroline Mazzola, while Madison Shugrue did the same at the 62:53 mark for the Engineers.

The winner came with just 40 seconds left, as DeJesus scooped up a loose ball and scored from the top of the box.

"We've been working so hard in practice this week," said DeJesus.  "We knew we had to have this game, and when I saw that little space, I took my shot."

Demick finished with six saves, while Goulden, Sophie Demuynck (Mt. Holly, N.J./Moorestown Friends), and Meg Richardson (Kents Hill, Maine/Kents Hill School) each had a defensive save for Smith.  Liz Dufresne made two saves for WPI.

Smith will be back in action on Thursday, traveling to No. 15 Amherst for a 7 p.m. start.   WPI will also be on the road, taking on Wellesley College on October 20 at noon.