Fitchburg State Rolls Past Thomas, 5-2

Bartalamia leads all scorers with a game-high five points

FITCHBURG, Mass. (September 5, 2009) - The Fitchburg State field hockey team collected its first victory of the season as it cruised past Thomas College, 5-2 in non-conference action this afternoon.

Fitchburg State senior Paula Bartalamia (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury) led all scorers in the contest, totaling five points on two goals and one assist. Freshman Jamie Kelley (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) was also a bright spot for the Falcons, registering her first collegiate points with two assists. Senior Vanessa Truax (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro), junior Megan Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) and classmate Torey Van Ahnen (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) rounded out the Falcons scoring with one goal apiece..

Thomas received a solid effort from freshman Ally Kennedy (Montville, Maine) as the rookie forward connected for both Terrier goals. Junior Alexis Evans (Embden, Maine) aided the Terrier attack with one helper on the day.

Fitchburg State dominated the offensive front, taking a 2-0 lead at the break as Bartalamia and Truax netted the first two Falcon goals of the season. Bartalamia ignited the Falcons five goal surge with her first tally of the contest at the 12:29 mark, while Truax followed suit with her first marker of the season in the 29th minute.

In the second half, the Falcons continued their dominance, notching eight shots on net, while limiting the Terrier to only three in the half. Bartalamia kicked started the Falcons scoring again with her second goal of the contest, while Jacobs followed five minutes later with her first tally of the season. Fitchburg State gained a 5-0 edge midway through the period as Van Ahnen blasted a penalty corner to the back of the net off  assists from senior Eleni Aidonidis (Winchendon, Mass./Saint Bernard's) and sophomore Heather Jerome (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford).

Thomas responded late in the half with a pair of goals by Kennedy, but Fitchburg State keeper, freshman Abbie Brown (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) recorded two saves throughout the match to preserve her first collegiate victory. Junior Megan Denby (Copiague, N.Y.) stopped six shots in net for the Terriers.

Fitchburg State (1-1, 0-0 LEC) will be back in action on Tuesday as it travels to Wheelock College at 7 p.m. Thomas (1-1, 0-0 NAC) will host New England College tomorrow at 3 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Fitchburg State 5, Thomas 2

Scoring:
First Half: FIT: Paula Bartalamia (Jamie Kelley), 12:29; FIT: Vanessa Truax (Bartalamia), 29:16
Second Half: FIT: Bartalamia, 41:26; FIT: Megan Jacobs (Kelley), 46:43; FIT: Torey Van Ahnen (Eleni Aidonidis, Heather Jerome), 56:41; TMS: Ally Kennedy, 58:16; TMS: Kennedy (Alexis Evans), 65:25
Goaltending: FIT: Abbie Brown (70:00), two saves; TMS: Megan Denby (70:00), six saves.
Shots: FIT: 14; TMS: 5