#9 Field Hockey Turns Back Saint Michael’s, 4-2


Sophomore Alexandria Sylvia had a hand in both second half goals with a goal and assist. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

Kelly and Sylvia fire Skyhawks to victory in NE-10 opener 

COLCHESTER, Vt. (September 19, 2015) – Stonehill College, ranked ninth in this week's Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II poll, scored two unanswered goals after halftime to claim a 4-2 victory over Saint Michael's College in the Northeast-10 Conference field hockey opener for both at Duffy Field today.

Senior All-American Erika Kelly (Watertown, Massachusetts/Watertown) led Stonehill with a five point afternoon as she registered two goals and an assist, while sophomore Alexandria Sylvia (Brockton, Massachusetts/Brockton) had a role in both second half goals with a goal and assist. Freshman Kacie Smith (Norwood, Massachusetts/Norwood) was also on the mark for the Skyhawks with a goal, extending her point streak to three games.

Freshman Sara Freedman (Hopkinton, Massachusetts/Hopkinton) notched her first collegiate win with three second half saves for Stonehill. The Skyhawks held a 23-6 advantage in shots for the contest, including 13-3 in the second half, while recording an 8-7 edge in penalty corners. Junior Abigail Bowie (Readfield, Maine/Kents Hill School) registered 13 stops in goal for Saint Michael's, including eight in the second half.

Junior Abby Dusha (Greenwich, New York/Greenwich Central School) scored both Saint Michael's goals in the first half, while senior Megan Deschaine (Claremont, New Hampshire/Stevens) dished an assist.


Senior All-American Erika Kelly led the Skyhawks with two goals and an assist. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

Dusha and Deschaine combined to put Saint Michael's in front with the opening goal at 16:55. Dusha took a pass from Deschaine and fired a shot into the left side of the cage. Kelly followed with two straight goals to five Stonehill its first lead. She got past the Purple Knights defense on the left side and leveled the score less than two minutes after Dusha's opener at 18:21. Kelly fired the Skyhawks into the lead with a blast off a corner insertion from junior Sarah Morse (Westminster, Massachusetts/Oakmont Regional) in the 28th minute.

Dusha equalized for Saint Michael's with just 2:07 to play in the opening half when she knocked in a deflected pass for her fourth goal of the year. Sylvia put Stonehill back in front for good with her second goal of the season 9:02 into the second half when she knocked in a pass from the top of the circle by Kelly at the right post. Sylvia set up Smith's insurance goal with under ten minutes to play off a corner.

Kelly's five points today give her 15 in five games so far this season, having recorded five goals and five assists. She has a point in six straight games dating back to last season and 12 of 14 overall going back to last fall.

Stonehill (2-3, 1-0 NE-10) is back in action on Wednesday when it hosts Adelphi University for an NE-10 matchup at W.B. Mason Stadium at 7 p.m. Saint Michael's (3-2, 0-1 NE-10) visits Merrimack College on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

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