Eastern Connecticut Rallies Past Vermont State Castleton, Advances to LEC Semifinals

11/3/2026 6:58:58 PM

MANSFIELD, Conn. – Fourth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University scored five unanswered goals to rally past fifth-seeded Vermont State Castleton, 5-3, in the quarterfinals of the Little East Conference Field Hockey Championship Tuesday at Rick McCarthy Field. Sophie Ash scored twice and assisted on Mackenzie Ray’s game-winning goal, while Kate Paradise made 11 saves for the Warriors.

The Records
Eastern Connecticut (10-8)
Vermont State Castleton (7-11)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Vermont State Castleton opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Allison Friel converted a pass from Caitlin Connolly at 7:29. Connolly doubled the Spartans’ lead at 10:58 and struck again with 24 seconds left in the quarter to make it 3-0. Gwyn Vincent assisted on both of Connolly’s goals.

Eastern Connecticut began its comeback less than two minutes into the second quarter. After the Warriors earned back-to-back penalty corners, Grace Barlage set up Ash at 16:59. Barlage then scored off an assist from Jenna Boardman at 20:07 to pull Eastern Connecticut within one.

The Warriors drew even at 23:07 when Katie Harrington scored off a pass from Ada Ellis following another penalty corner. Ash then set up Ray with 38 seconds remaining in the half, giving Eastern Connecticut its first lead and capping a four-goal second quarter.

Both teams put one shot on goal in a scoreless third quarter. Paradise stopped Vincent at 42:34, and Castleton goalkeeper Izabella Cosden turned aside Audrey Molin just over a minute later to keep the score at 4-3.

Molin set up Ash for an insurance goal at 48:45. Castleton earned four penalty corners and put five shots on goal in the fourth quarter, but Paradise stopped all five to seal the win.

Inside The Statistics

  • Ash led Eastern Connecticut with two goals and an assist, while Barlage added a goal and an assist.
  • Connolly finished with two goals and an assist for Castleton. Vincent recorded two assists and a game-high five shots on goal.
  • Paradise finished with 11 saves for the Warriors, while Cosden made three for the Spartans.
  • Castleton held a 14-13 edge in shots, while Eastern Connecticut finished with a 7-6 advantage in penalty corners.

Up Next

Eastern Connecticut travels to top-seeded Southern Maine for the LEC semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 5. Vermont State Castleton concludes its season at 7-11.