Field hockey clips the Falcons in comeback win, advances to semifinals
By Izabela Gage
Staff Writer
Despite being down 1-0 to start the game, the Framingham State Rams made a 3-2 comeback to conquer the Fitchburg State Falcons in the MASCAC Quarterfinals Nov. 3. This evens their conference record to 5-5 and brings their overall record to 9-10. The Falcons started the action with a shot on goal 5 minutes in, but it was saved by sophomore goalkeeper Aubrey Jenkins. The Rams generated early chances, as freshman Sydney Walters tested Fitchburg goalkeeper Isabella Corcoran with back-to-back shots, but Corcoran stopped both. Framingham earned a penalty corner, and Captain Ashley Malmquist, a senior, took a shot on goal that Corcoran stopped. The Falcons answered with pressure of their own during a penalty corner, but Jenkins made consecutive saves on goal attempts from Samantha Jones, Kendall O’Brien, and Gyovanna Barrows. Both teams remained scoreless going into the second quarter. Junior Mikayla Malmquist tried to find the back of the net for the Rams early in the second quarter, but Corcoran made the save. Walters sent a subsequent attempt wide. Fitchburg did not let up offensively. Jenkins saved a shot, and senior Allison Harmuth made a defensive save on another attempt. The Falcons broke through almost 28 minutes in, when Ella Mosher scored the game’s opening goal to give Fitchburg the lead. Ashley Malmquist said after the first goal, their mindset “was to play like it was 0-0 and not let a goal set us back. We knew we were capable of coming back and trusted that, as a team, we could.” The Rams responded by earning a series of penalty corners. After junior Amanda Stackpole had a shot blocked, the offense converted on their next opportunity. At 29:14, Mikayla Malmquist tied the game off an assist from Captain Finley Hogan, a junior. Mikayla Malmquist said, “Finley and I have been building our connection on the field since freshman year, and over the years, we’ve gotten to a point where I almost know where she is on the field without her even having to say anything. “We’ve developed a really strong understanding of each other’s playing style, which makes it easier to connect and create opportunities in big moments,” she added. Heading into halftime, the teams were even 1-1. Framingham kept creating chances in the third quarter. After another penalty corner, Ashley Malmquist sent a shot wide. Junior Allison Wurms then put a shot toward goal, but was unsuccessful. The Rams kept earning penalty corners, including three in a stretch late in the quarter, and eventually broke the tie. At 44:07, Hogan scored off an assist from Wurms to give Framingham a 2-1 lead. This marked Hogan’s 21st goal and 48th point of the season, breaking the record for most goals scored and points in a single season, which had both been held by Kristen Sacco since 2009. Hogan said, “I’m super honored to have the privilege to play at this level and the opportunity to break it. Knowing that I have another season left just makes me want to do even more for the team and myself.” She added she goes “into games focusing on the team’s success, which happens to go hand-in-hand with my individual success. I never go in thinking about just what I’m going to do, but how I can help the team.” Framingham kept up with their momentum and extended the lead only 58 seconds into the fourth quarter. Ashley Malmquist scored at 45:58 to put the Rams ahead by 2. Ashley Malmquist said the third goal “gave us more room for flexibility and to settle in. We knew we needed to keep battling and not let up, but the goal was a momentum boost for us!” Fitchburg looked to answer, but Jenkins saved a shot from Barrows and stopped attempts from O’Brien and Barrows as the Falcons tried to cut into the deficit. The Rams refused to let up, as Hogan, Ashley Malmquist, and senior Jillian Meeker each recorded a shot on goal, but Corcoran saved all attempts. Jenkins made another save following two consecutive Fitchburg penalty corners. She then turned away attempts from Butler and Barrows, keeping the Rams ahead as the clock wound down. Butler cut the deficit to one with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game, bringing the score to 3-2. The late goal made for a nail-biting final minute, but Framingham held on to secure the quarterfinal win and advance to the second round. Mikayla Malmquist said this win is “a great reminder of what we’re capable of as a team. Even when we find ourselves down early, we have the ability to fight back and regain control of the game.” The Rams lost to the Westfield State Owls in the semifinal on Nov. 5, bringing an end to their 2026 season. Mikayla Malmquist said they have faced plenty of adversity this season, which has helped them grow. “Anything can happen in the MASCAC, and nothing is guaranteed, so we know we need to come prepared and be ready to compete,” she added. Ashley Malmquist said, “Our chemistry has grown so much throughout the season. … Trust makes a huge difference in high-pressure situations because we know we have each other’s backs and don’t have to do it alone.”
