MANSFIELD, Conn. – Senior forward Rachelle Messuri (Atkinson, N.H.) converted a hard shot 1:36 into sudden death overtime to lift the Saint Joseph's College field hockey team to a 2-1 victory over Eastern Connecticut State University in the season opener for both programs Saturday afternoon.

Messuri's first goal of the season early in the second half tied the match for Saint Joseph's, and Eastern  junior goalie Olivia Mullen (Bethel, Conn.) sprawled out to make a number of saves the rest of the way until Messuri connected on a shot from just inside the left part of the circle for the game-winner. Mullen was screened on Messuri's shot. She managed to get a pad on it but could not prevent it from slipping over the goal line.

First-year sophomore forward Brianna Passero (Trumbull, Conn.) came off the bench to score her first career goal late in the first half on a pass from freshman Elly Walker  (Scarborough, Maine) and give the Warriors an initial lead, but Messuri and senior back Carley Denis (Lewiston, Maine hooked up for the tying goal three minutes into the second half.

The Monks dominated play after the break, outshooting Eastern 13-1 and forcing Mullen to come up with seven saves (in addition to defensive saves by junior back  Sam Rossetti (Shelton, Conn.) and freshman back Alexandra Steward (Old Saybrook, Conn.) to keep the contest tied. Saint Joseph's freshman goalie Emma Astbury (Bridgewater, Vt.) needed only one save to record her first collegiate win in her first start.

Four of Mullen's saves came in a span of five minutes (two on rebounds) on bids by Messuri, senior midfielder Theresa Hendrix (Scarborough, Maine/Cheverus), freshman midfielder Kelsey Dumond (Lewiston, Maine) and sophomore midfielder Brenna Fitzgibbon (Exeter, N.H.). As time expired in regulation, Mullen also came up with a sprawling save on a drive by sophomore midfielder Amanda Celata (Dedham, Mass.).

The visitors amassed a 12-4 advantage in penalty corners en route to their second win over Eastern in as many years.

Saint Joseph's returns to action next Saturday when the Monks visit Anna Maria College in a 5:00 PM start. Eastern plays host to the AMCATS on Thursday at 4:30 PM.

COURTESY OF ECSU SPORTS INFORMATION

Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 350-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.