Box Score
NORTHAMPTON, Mass.-- Mariah Ollive (Milton, Vt./Milton)'s goal at the 46:45 mark of the second half proved to be the game-winner as the Smith field hockey team bested NEWMAC rival Mount Holyoke 2-1 Tuesday evening. The Pioneers improve to 5-5, 3-1 in conference play while the Lyons drop to 5-5, 1-2. Tonight marked the first win over Mount Holyoke since the 2003 season when Smith posted 1-0 victory in double-overtime on October 6.

Smith threatened early as Elsie Odhiambo (Oyugis, Kenya/Kisumu Girls School) tracked down a loose ball and headed on a breakaway toward goal, but an outstanding effort by Mount Holyoke's Ruvimbo Mushavi stopped the Pioneers attempt to score.

The visitors were able to strike first as Sarah LaQuerre collected Charlotte Wagner's insertion pass on a corner and lifted the ball over the outstretched arms of the Smith goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. 

After a penalty corner by the home team, a scrum ensued in front of the cage, where Casey Rau (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) found Julia Hamilton (Williamstown, Mass./Deerfield Academy) whose shot found the back of the net to tie the game with 5:40 left in the first half.

With under a minute left to play in the first stanza, Mount Holyoke forward Charlotte Wagner juked the Smith goalkeeper and found herself wide open in front of the cage, but sent her shot wide of the net. The teams would enter halftime tied 1-1 and each registering six shots on goal.

The Smith corner team tested the Lyons' goalkeeper with a number of rockets on net, as Smith was able to attempt three corners in the opening five minutes of the second half, but Liz DiCesare turned away each shot she faced during that stretch. Finally, the Pioneers Odhiambo sent a cross to Ollive who was able to tip in the game-winner for the 2-1 advantage with 46:45 on the clock.

The Lyons maintained pressure on the Smith defense and were awarded a corner withh 14 seconds left in the game. Smith's defense stood strong as Mount Holyoke was never able to register a shot on goal as time expired. Mount Holyoke had four corner opportunities with under eight minutes in regualtion, but was unable to convert.

Smith outshot the Lyons 14-11 while Mount Holyoke held the edge in penalty corners, 10-9. Tietje made six saves for the Pioneers, while DiCesare stopped 10 shots for the visitors.

Smith will take a break from NEWMAC play to host Western New England University on Thursday, October 8 at 5:30 p.m. The Lyons will be in action on Thursday, hosting Simmons College for a 7 p.m. contest.