Box Score
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Junior Brittany Hawkins (Hampstead, N.H.) scored twice and classmate Anna Bury (Huntingtown, Md.) posted eight saves to help second-seeded Gordon College claim the 2013 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Field Hockey Championship with a 3-1 decision over top-seeded University of New England on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 9) at the Big Blue Turf.

Hawkins notched the first goal of the contest just 3:01 in, collecting a rebound off the post and knocking home her 11th marker of the season. Hawkins stood at the right post—unmarked—when a shot from Courtney Scott ricocheted directly to the stick of Hawkins. The junior didn't think twice, sending a shot back across the bow of the goal and into the black for the Scots first lead. 

In the 26th minute, Bury denied a UNE penalty stroke try to keep the slim lead for Gordon, which still held at halftime. The Nor'easters high-scoring offense looked poised to take away the Scots early momentum, but Bury made sure the Gordon contingent stayed loud on the visitor's bleachers.

The Scots took the narrow one-goal lead into the halftime break.

The Nor'easters began to push forward in the 2nd frame, and netted the equalizer in the 45th minute on drive from junior Beth Sullivan (Cumberland, R.I.). Senior Hannah Tavella (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) registered an assist on the play with the penalty corner insert.

However, the Fighting Scots managed to regain the advantage a little more than three minutes later, when junior Katherine Bailey (Baltimore, Md.) put one in near the right post on a feed from classmate Gayle Watson (Harare, Zimbabwe). UNE dominated possession in the half, but Bailey's nifty goal gave the Scots the confidence to finish out their mission of a conference title.
The Nor'easters continued to hold the majority of play, and had four shots and four corners in a span of 3:42 shortly after, but could not get anything past Bury.

A breakaway in the 64th minute produced some insurance for the visitors, as a cross from the right wing was tipped through the middle by junior Courtney Scott (Herndon, Pa.), and it fell to Hawkins on the left side for the goal. Freshmen Abigail Sensing (Doylestown, Pa.) and Bailey Balmer (Perkasie, Pa.) set up the scoring opportunity initially, as Balmer stole possession from UNE's midfield before flipping it onto Sensing.

Gordon's forward duo of Hawkins and Scott—who have combined for 43 goals in 2013—took care of the rest to put the game out of reach.

The Gordon defense held strong facing full pressure in the waning moments, securing the first CCC field hockey crown for the Fighting Scots since 2001.

UNE first-year goalie Holly Smith (Peabody, Mass.) made three saves for the hosts, who finished with a 16-11 edge in shot attempts and 13-6 cushion in corners (8-1 in 2nd half).

The Fighting Scots (17-5) earn the league's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship, which will begin on Wednesday. UNE suffered its first setback in nine outings, slipping back to 15-6, while also losing in conference play for the first time in 2013. 

Information taken from release courtesy of UNE Athletics