CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Nov. 6, 2011) – The Mount Holyoke College field hockey team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 setback to top-seeded MIT in the NEWMAC Championship this afternoon at Jack Barry Field. After gaining a 1-0 edge midway through the second half, the second-seeded Lyons surrendered a goal in the final seconds of regulation before Tournament Most Outstanding Player Anna Teruya knocked in the winner 1:51 into overtime.

With their win, the Engineers improved to 17-3 on the year and secured a spot in next week's NCAA Division III National Tournament. It was their second NEWMAC title in the past three years. They will enter the tournament as winners of 11 of their last 12 matches.

Mount Holyoke could also qualify for the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid after posting an impressive 13-5 mark this season. The Lyons entered the week ranked third in the New England East Region. A total of seven teams from around the nation will earn at-large bids. The complete field will be released later tonight. Mount Holyoke's season could also continue in the ECAC Tournament next week.

After combining for 15 goals in their semifinal round victories yesterday, the NEWMAC Regular Season Co-Champions held each other scoreless in the first half today.

The Lyons grabbed a 1-0 advantage at the 49:21 mark, when first year midfielder Aurora Rougeau dribbled into the circle and snapped a bouncing backhand past first year goalkeeper Jenna Klein for her first collegiate tally.

Refusing to go away, MIT took advantage of a penalty corner to knot things up with just 1:21 remaining in regulation. After receiving the injection, Teruya hit junior midfielder Molly McShane with a short pass to the right side. McShane proceeded to evade a Mount Holyoke defender with a quick dodge before firing a backhanded past senior goalkeeper Katie Gibson. Her dramatic goal sent the contest to overtime.

The Engineers struck quickly in the extra session, scoring the winner off a penalty corner in the second minute. After collecting a pass from sophomore forward Molly Duffy at the top of the circle, Teruya sent a rocket past Gibson to clinch the championship for the hosts. Her 10^th goal of the year came just seconds after Duffy fired a shot off the right post.

Mount Holyoke (13-5, 6-2 NEWMAC) recorded a 19-17 advantage in the shot column in what will go down as one of the most competitive championships in league history. Both squads finished with 11 corners.

Sophomore Casey Landry got the start between the pipes for MIT (17-3, 6-2 NEWMAC). She made two saves in the first half before giving way to Klein, who stopped one shot over the final 36:51.

Gibson turned away five shots for the Lyons, who received outstanding defensive performances from seniors Taylor Hedges and Tricia Chase.

Mount Holyoke entered today's match riding a five-match winning streak. The Lyons earned NEWMAC Championships in 2001 and 2003.

Inside photo by Leila Quinn '12