Senior All-American Erika Kelly had a hand in both Stonehill goals today. (PHOTO BY Emily Reynolds) |
Paustian keys Rams four goal second half flurry with two goals and an assist
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (September 6, 2015) – West Chester University, ranked No. 2 in the Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association preseason poll, used a four goal second half to erase a two-goal halftime deficit and claim a 4-2 triumph over 5th-ranked Stonehill College in non-conference field hockey action at Vonnie Gros Field today.
Junior Dayle Paustian (Martinsville, New Jersey/Bridgewater-Raritan) led the West Chester comeback with two goals and an assist as the Rams scored all four goals within a 17-minute span, including three in a six minute stretch to reverse the lead. Junior Marnie Kusakavitch (Pittston, Pennsylvania/Holy Redeemer) and sophomore Rachal Toppi (Glassboro, New Jersey/Glassboro) each chipped in with goals for the Rams.
Junior Sarah Krause (Lancaster, Pennsylvania/Conestoga Valley) made four of her five saves in the second half to give West Chester the chance to come back. The Rams finished with a 28-14 advantage in shots, including 17-5 in the second half, and held a 12-9 edge in penalty corners. Junior Dana Dhami (Glastonbury, Connecticut/Glastonbury) made her first collegiate start in goal for Stonehill and posted a career-high ten saves in 59-minutes of play. Freshman Sara Freedman (Hopkinton, Massachusetts/Hopkinton) registered four stops over the final 11 minutes.
Senior All-American Erika Kelly (Watertown, Massachusetts/Watertown) played a role in both Stonehill goals with a goal and assist. Classmate Lauren Giordano (Watertown, Massachusetts/Watertown) netted a goal for the second straight afternoon for the Skyhawks, while junior Shea Healy (Greenfield, Massachusetts/Pioneer Valley) chipped in with an assist.
West Chester reversed its two goal halftime deficit with three goals within a six minute span midway through the second half. Kusakavitch cut the deficit in half with a goal off a penalty corner by senior Kristina Scherrer (Enola, Pennsylvania/Cumberland Valley) at 50:36. Paustian knotted the score just 1:17 later off a pass from sophomore Morgan Snodgrass (Egg Harbor, New Jersey/Eqq Harbor Township). Paustian then put the Rams in front less than five minutes later off a corner and then set up Toppi's goal at 67:17 to cap the scoring.
Kelly opened the scoring with her first goal of the season for Stonehill 10:47 into the contest off a pass from Healy. Kelly then set up Giordano for the second straight day to give the Skyhawks a two goal lead with 5:45 remaining in the first half.
Stonehill (0-2, 0-0 NE-10) returns to action next Saturday, September 12, when it hosts Southern New Hampshire University for a non-conference contest at W.B. Mason Stadium at noon. West Chester (2-0, 0-0 PSAC) visits Shippensburg University on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
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