By Sophia Oppedisano Sports Editor The Framingham State field hockey team defeated the Salem State Vikings in an electric double-overtime win Sept. 28 with a final score of 4-3. Aside from the conference win, the Rams played in honor of student-athletes and members of the Framingham State community who are struggling with their mental health. The game is a tradition they started just last year. Co-Head Coach Allie Lucenta said the team chose to dedicate one game on their schedule to mental health awareness because it “hit so close to home for our own battles as coaches and as student-athletes.” Captain Angelina Serra said, “As women, we all support each other, and we all go through [struggles] at one time or another. … It was really important to us to just make sure everyone around us knows that they're supported. Whether they're in sports or not, everyone on campus is supported, and the field hockey team supports them as well.” The team adorned the fences of the field with positive posters and messaging and hosted a family potluck after their win. The win evens Framingham’s conference record to 1-1 and their overall record stands at 2-4. The action started early with a Salem goal 6 minutes into the first quarter on a penalty corner. Even though the Vikings struck first, the momentum belonged to the Rams as they managed three shots in 3 minutes. Salem’s goal was quickly matched by Framingham Captain Emma Bailey 4 minutes later. The goal was Bailey’s first of the season. The second quarter was scoreless for both the Rams and Vikings with goaltender Rowan Whittaker and midfielder Kaitlin Loughlin making big defensive stops for Framingham. Framingham continued trying to capitalize on penalty corners and find the back of the net, but the score remained knotted at 1-1. The Rams took the lead 2-1 6 minutes into the third period on a goal scored by Serra. The goal was her first of the season. Serra was given the team's hard hat award at the end of the game, a recognition from both coaches and teammates that she embodied the athletic principles and sportsmanship the team values. The Rams fell quiet after Serra’s goal but continued to create opportunities to try to score on penalty corners. The fourth quarter began at 2-1, but Salem quickly evened the score to 2-2. Both teams volleyed across the field with momentum shifting between the Rams and Vikings as they matched each other almost shot for shot before Natalia Roehr scored for the Rams to make the contest 3-2. Roehr’s goal came with only a minute and 40 seconds left to play, but the Vikings capitalized on a corner penalty and scored to tie the game 3-3 with only 30 seconds left. The first overtime period was all Rams from the start as they connected with seven shots on goal and were given eight opportunities to score on corner penalties. However, the score remained tied at 3-3. The Rams remained dominant for the entirety of the second overtime period before Bailey scored the go-ahead goal, assisted by Serra, with only 20 seconds remaining in the period. “It's the most rewarding feeling just knowing that you're leading your teammates, and they're putting in their best effort. Just to be able to end the game with a win was really meaningful. “I think this win will definitely carry us to be better, and it'll bring us momentum in the next couple games,” Bailey said. Bailey’s effort earned her MASCAC Player of the Week Sept. 30. “That's how Rams play, with heart like that, and grit - playing every single ball to the last second,” Roehr said. The Rams beat conference opponent Bridgewater State 2-1 Oct. 1 and earned another overtime win against UMass Dartmouth Oct. 3 with a score of 3-2. As of press time, their conference record stands at 2-1 and their overall record is 4-4. The team will be back in action at home against conference opponent Worcester State Oct. 5.
