Nerbonne Strikes First, 'Cats Fall 4-2 to Pacific in Quarterfinal

Friday, November 4

Stockton, CA

5:30 PM Eastern

University of New Hampshire

University of the Pacific

Nerbonne Strikes First, 'Cats Fall 4-2 to Pacific in Quarterfinal

11/4/2016 10:35:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Video Highlights

Rudert Records Career-High 11 Saves

STOCKTON, Calif. – Lindsey Nerbonne (Bow, N.H.) scored the game's first goal, but the University of New Hampshire field hockey team surrendered three consecutive goals and was defeated 4-2 by the University of the Pacific in Friday afternoon's America East quarterfinal game at Pacific Field Hockey Turf.

UNH, the No. 3 East seed by virtue of a 4-4 America East record, ends the season at 7-12. Pacific, which tied for first in the West and is that division's No. 2 seed, won its sixth consecutive game to improve to 15-4 and advance to the semifinals against Cal.

It is the second consecutive year the Wildcats were ousted in the America East quarters by Pacific. Last year, the Tigers prevailed 2-1 at the University at Albany.

The end of the 2016 season closes the UNH careers of seniors Jackie Hozza (Sinking Spring, Pa.) and Nerbonne.

GAME INFO
Date: November 4, 2016
Location: Pacific Field Hockey Turf (Stockton, Calif.)
Attendance: 428
Score: Pacific 4, New Hampshire 2
Updated Records: UNH (7-12, 4-4 America East), Pacific (15-4, 5-1 America East)

GAME RECAP

UNH took a 1-0 lead with the dynamic duo of East Division All-Conference Team selections Ashley Mendonca (Brampton, Ontario) and Nerbonne. On a quick restart outside the 25 on the left wing, Mendonca maneuvered toward the center of the field and sent a long hit into the circle. Nerbonne, positioned in the middle, dove to her left and had the stick fully extended to get a touch and redirect the ball into the cage at 17:01.
Pacific has a quick reply as Ash Rutherford scored 31 seconds later to tie the score, 1-1.
The Tigers took a 2-1 lead when America East Offensive Player of the Year Kriekie van Wyk scored at 30:07 on a tip-in from Ali Campos, who also set up Rutherford's goal.
The home team took that one-goal advantage, as well as a decisive edge in both shots (17-4) and penalty corners (4-0) into halftime.
In the second half, the teams combined to score three goals in a span of less than five minutes.
Pacific extended the lead to 3-1 on Axelle Steffen's goal at 42:39.
Katie Audino (Severn, Md.), who ranks second on the team in assists with nine, scored her first goal of the season on a shot off a rebound to pull the Wildcats back within one goal, 3-2, at 45:58 – 3 minutes, 19 seconds after the Tigers established the two-goal cushion. Audino initiated the scoring sequence as the insert on the penalty corner and shoveled the ball inside the left corner after Mendonca's direct shot was saved.
van Wyk scored her second of the game and 21^st of the season on a penalty corner direct shot to give Pacific a 4-2 lead at 47:12 – 1 minute, 14 seconds after Audino's goal and 4:33 after Steffen'g goal made it 3-1.
New Hampshire recorded a 17-9 shot advantage and 5-3 edge in corners in the second half.
UNH goalkeeper Kesley Rudert (North Grafton, Mass.) recorded a career-high 11 saves; Pacific counterpart Laura Pujade also stopped 11 shots and Savannah Burns recorded a defensive save.

'CAT NIPS

Nerbonne ends her career ranked No. 9 on the program's career goals leaderboard with 38. Her 83 points is tied for 10^th with Kathy Cortez (1991-94).
Nerbonne and Mendonca finished for the team lead in points with 27. Nerbonne tallied 13 goals and an assists while Menconda recorded 12 goals and three assists.

SHOTS: UNH 4-17–21. Pacific 17-9–26.

PENALTY CORNERS: UNH 0-5–5. Pacific 4-3–7.

GOALS
UNH (2): Katie Audino, Lindsey Nerbonne
Pacific (4): Kriekie van Wyk (2), Axelle Steffen, Ash Rutherford

ASSISTS
UNH (1): Ashley Mendonca
Pacific (5): Ali Campos (2), Savannah Burns, Alicia Muinos, Ash Rutherford

SAVES
UNH: Kelsey Rudert 6-5-11 (70:00; 4 GA) [Loss]
Pacific: :Laura Pujade 1-10–11 (70:00; 2 GA) [Win]

DEFENSIVE SAVES
UNH (0)
Pacific (1): Savannah Burns