Box Score NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – A pair of late goals doomed the Smith College field hockey team as the Springfield College Pride escaped with a 2-1 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory Saturday afternoon.

Smith (4-12, 1-6) held tough against the No. 3 scoring offense in the conference but a goal in the 63rd minute put the Pioneers on their heels, and the Pride responded with a second marker some two minutes later to seal the win.

The first half was well played with Smith's defense answering the call when needed. Springfield (7-8, 3-4) had the first scoring opportunity of the contest as junior goalkeeper Nora Demick (Watertown, Mass/Beaver Country Day) needed to make a save at the 7:36 mark.

The Pioneers broke through in the 14^th minute, with junior Marissa Vara (Hudson, Mass./Hudson) tallying her 11^th goal of the season to put Smith ahead, 1-0.

The Pride continued to apply pressure, with Demick turning away seven shots to close out the first half.

Springfield's attack picked up the pace in the second half, though. The Pride outshot the Pioneers 18-3 in the final 35 minutes of play, and took seven more (10-to-3) penalty corners in the half then Smith.

The Pioneer defense, led by seniors Kristen Estes (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) and Rebecca Meagher (Acton, Mass./Acton-Boxborough), as well as Demick, continued to hold the Springfield offense at bay for much of the second half. With just 6:28 to play, the Pride broke through as junior Katie Gill found a seem and slipped past the Pioneer defense to score her sixth goal of the season that tied the game, 1-1.

Springfield took the lead for good at the 65:53 mark, as junior Olivia Cabral scored her ninth goal of the season, and second game-winning goal in as many games.

Demick finished with 12 saves, and is now six saves behind Wheaton's Madison Wolters for most in the NEWMAC.

Both teams will play their final non-conference games of the season, as Smith hosts Keene State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, while Springfield travels to Salem State for a 4 p.m. clash on Tuesday.