United States Coast Guard Academy

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. --

In their first appearance in program history, Coast Guard was unable to overcome the top seeded MIT, ultimately finishing with a final score of 12-5. 

On the first possession, the Bears got four shots off but were unable to find the back of the net. On MIT's first, Isabella Judge (Buffalo, NY) forced an Engineer turnover and was later fouled but MIT keeper Pauline Vien made an outstanding save to keep the Bears scoreless. That Vien save was a preview of what was to come all day.

The next four possessions each resulted in turnovers with MIT finally maintaining the ball and getting a man-up opportunity after a late offsides call. The Engineers would capitalize on an Annica Lam goal. Lam would score again just under two minutes later to bring the score to 2-0.

After an incredible Kailee Heron (West Islip, NY) save gave the Bears possession, the second clock violation of the period gave the ball right back to MIT who converted again for a score to advance their lead to 3-0. Rowan Walsh (Hampstead, MD) would come away with the subsequent draw control but the MIT defense again proved to be impenetrable.

The Engineers tacked on a fourth goal with a free position shot at the start of the second but Ella Campbell (Foxborough, MA) grabbed the draw control to give Coast Guard an opportunity to chip away at the deficit. An MIT yellow card made that opportunity even greater but an Abby McAllister (Pleasantville, NY) that seemed destined for goal was saved by Vien. They would ride the momentum from Vien's save to a man-down goal, making it an early hat trick for Annica Lam. 

McAllister, the nation's leader in points per game, had another strong shot just minutes later but again was saved by Pauline Vien. Vien, the reigning NEWMAC Tournament most outstanding player, stood on her head all half with seven saves, two of which came on free position attempts. That 5-0 MIT lead would hold into the half despite a 3-3 split on draw controls and the Bears out-shooting the Engineers 14-12.

Out of the half in the pouring rain, the Bears needed to find some offense right away. Taylor Thorne won the draw control but the rarely called charge gave MIT possession where they capitalized almost immediately with their sixth goal. Coast Guard finally broke through just over a minute after the Engineer goal when Abby McAllister took matters into her own hands with an unassisted goal. The Engineers however would answer almost immediately to bring the Bear deficit back to seven.

Midway through the third, a well-timed timeout by coach Behme gave the Bears life. In the minute after the timeout, Abby McAllister scored two unassisted goals to put the Bears on her back and cut the deficit to five at a score of 8-3.

Despite MIT winning the draw after McAllister's third goal, the Bears got the ball right back and had a free position attempt but the dominance of Vien continued with a save. It was deja vu after that with again CGA forcing a turnover and again failing to convert the free position attempt. After three consecutive possessions ending in turnovers for MIT, the Engineers finally retained possession and made the Bears pay with a free position goal. 

As the third period clock ticked under a minute, the Bears forced yet another turnover but wound up turning it right back over to the Engineers who held on to maintain possession into the final period of play.

Bears keeper Kailee Heron made a save on an eight meter attempt to start the fourth but CGA could not gather any momentum with two cards giving MIT a two-up advantage which they capitalized on with a dagger goal, going up 10-3.

Each team would tack on two more goals throughout the rest of the game, including a fourth Abby McAllister goal. McAllister would then assist on an Elizabeth Pearcy (Philadelphia, PA) goal. Along with her four goals, Abby would also lead the team in caused turnovers(3) and tie Ella Campbell and Cate Yurko (Oakton, VA) for the lead in ground balls with two.

In a fitting finish, Pauline Vien saved a free position shot in the final seconds to put the finishing touches on the MIT win. She would finish the day with 12 saves and be named the NEWMAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player for the second consecutive year.

The win clinches MIT a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Bears sit at 14-3 and find themselves still very much in contention of receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Selection Show will take place on Monday, May 4th at 10:30 AM ET and can be watched HERE