NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The La Salle field hockey team remained knotted in a 1-1 tie with the Merrimack Warriors until the final three minutes of play that saw two goals for the 3-1 victory on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Explorers improve to 2-0 overall while the Warriors fall to 0-2 on the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Merrimack was the first to strike with a goal at the eight-minute mark to take an early lead over the Explorers.
• With the clock running down on the first quarter, Cat McFadden brought the ball in from the top right of the circle drawing out the Merrimack goalie for a one-on-one challenge. McFadden got the ball through the goalie and onto the stick of a wide-open Sol Espona out front of the cage for the goal to tie the game, 1-1.
• After scoreless second and third quarters, the Explorers managed to pull ahead with just under three minutes remaining in the game. Tatum Johnson finds Samie Hackman down the left side drawing the goalie out of the cage. The senior forward went one-on-one with the goalie managing past her to place the ball in the cage.
•  With just under a minute left in play, Cat McFadden finds Johnson on the on the left side of the Warriors cage. The Merrimack goalkeeper leapt forward in and effort to stop the ball, but Johnson recovered regaining possession for the goal.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• La Salle outshot the Warriors 14-3 placing seven balls on the cage compared to Merrimack's two.
• The Explorers held the advantage in penalty corners, 9-3, including five in the fourth quarter alone.
• Johnson and Espona led the offensive effort for La Salle. Not only did the duo each record a goal, but they also tied in team-high shots with four. Espona placed three shots on goal and Johnson recorded two.
• Peyton Tollaksen and Malena Balduzzi rattled off two shots apiece for the Explorers.
• Goalkeeper Ryan Curley recorded all 60 minutes in the cage and made one save.
• Johnson's goal marks her third of the season. Hackman and Espona each recorded their first.
• Johnson currently leads the Explorers scoring efforts with seven points on three goals and one assist through two games.

UP NEXT:

• The Explorers get a two-day break before heading back north to Piscataway, New Jersey to face Rutgers on Wednesday, August 31 at 4 p.m.