MANSFIELD - Scoring twice within a minute early in the second half of play, the Mansfield High field hockey team ticketed itself for a spot in the quarterfinal round of the MIAA Division 1-South Tournament.

Freshman Meredith Rogazzo scored on the first shot of her varsity career to put the No. 11 seeded Hornets into the lead and a minute later, Carly Gilmore converted a cross from Taylor Young for the match-winner as Mansfield stunned Somerset 2-1 Thursday.

"It was nice to battle back and come out fighting," said Mansfield coach Theresa DeGirolamo, whose Hornets (12-5-2), now meet the winner of the Sandwich-Franklin match.

"Somerset is a great team, but we came to play and we played well," said DeGirolamo as the Hornets generated eight penalty corners, five during the first half and nine shots, five during the first half.

However, through 30 minutes, the teams were scoreless. Time and again, Mansfield sweeper Charise Zimmer and defender Heather McPherson took control of loose balls or challenged Blue Raider forwards for possession. Those efforts and stellar defense by sophomore goalie Adrienne Breef-Pilz (10 saves) enabled Mansfield to create more transitional play, rather than defending its own soil.

"They (Somerset) have some kids who can get on their horses and go," added DeGirolamo of the Blue Raiders' speed, hoping to capitalize on breakaways down the wings. The Hornets blanked Somerset through 45 minutes, gaining a two-goal lead before Liz Correia scored in the 46th minute.

"Then they put some big-time pressure on us," added DeGirolamo of the Hornets' protecting the one-goal margin. "Somerset was so threatening, especiallty that No. 11 (Helena Monteiro, four shots)."

For all of the attacking that Mansfield created during the first half, it went unrewarded. However, a hunch by DeGirolamo that Rogazzo, a junior varsity player with sound fundamental stick skills, could make a difference paid dividends.

Sarah Sterling set the Hornets' goal-scoring play in motion at the midfield stripe, controlling the ball and sending it forward to Young at the 25-yard line. Young made a rush by two Somerset defenders and the ball went into the penalty area.

"Meredith is a (ice) hockey player and she always has two hands on the stick," added DeGirolamo. "Her first touch of the ball and she scored."

The Hornets continued to apply the pressure from the ensuing face-off and once again Young was the catalyst for the attack. She took control of a loose ball at the Somerset 25-yard line and uncorked a drive toward the Blue Raider goal, where Gilmore deflected home the match-winner.

"We did a good job in the first half controlling the play, but the circle was packed," added DeGirolamo. "We had the offense going from the get-go. That was one of the better matches of the season that we played from start to finish."