FITCHBURG, Mass.  –  Freshman Molly Richard (Leominster, Mass.) and senior Julia Gimenez (Medway, Mass.) each scored a goal to lead the Fitchburg State University Falcons to a 2-1 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a Little East Conference field hockey game Saturday afternoon.

         With the loss, Southern Maine concludes its season with an 8-12 overall record and a 4-7 mark in the Little East Conference.  Fitchburg State improves to 10-8 overall and 4-7 in the Little East and will earn one of the final playoff spots into the LEC's post-season tournament with a head-to-head tie-breaker.

         Richard scored late in the first half notching her 10th goal of the season in the 26th minute off of an assist from Margaret Gallagher. Leading 1-0 through halftime, Fitchburg State doubled its advantage less than three minutes into the second half as Gimenez connected for an unassisted goal – also her 10th of the season – for the eventual game-winner.  Southern Maine broke up the shut out in the 53rd minute as sophomore Kaylie Andrews (Kittery, Maine/Traip Academy) converted an assist from senior captain Allison Ward (Rockland, Maine/Oceanside).

         FSU goalkeeper senior Judith Valentin (Brockton, Mass.) made six saves to earn the win for the Falcons, who were outshot by USM 13-9. Junior goalkeeper Amanda Kasbohm (York, Maine) made three saves in the loss.

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