Stevenson nets both Warrior goals, while Ard and Freedman solid in both goals

Sophomore Sara Freedman made a career-high 12 saves for the Skyhawks. (PHOTO BY SportsPix)

EASTON, Mass. (September 3, 2016) – Defending NCAA Division II National Champions East Stroudsburg University, ranked No. 1 in the Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II preseason poll, erased a first half deficit with two unanswered goals to claim a 2-1 victory over 5^th-ranked Stonehill College in non-conference field hockey action on Timothy J. Coughlin '80 Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium this afternoon.

Postgrad Robin Stevenson (Harare, Zimbabwe) scored both goals to lead East Stroudsburg to the victory, while senior Emily Howell (Bangor, Pennsylvania/Bangor) and junior Sydney McCarthy (Reading, Pennsylvania/Muhlenberg) each dished assists. Senior goalkeeper Danielle Ard (Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania/Mifflinburg) preserved the win with six saves in the Warriors goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Sara Freedman (Hopkinton, Massachusetts/Hopkinton) gave Stonehill the upset chance with a career-high 12 saves as East Stroudsburg recorded a 23-9 advantage in shots for the afternoon. Classmate Kacie Smith (Norwood, Massachusetts/Norwood) scored the Skyhawks lone goal to give the hosts a first half lead with 10:32 remaining in the first half. Smith collected an ESU turnover on the right side and broke in one on one with Ard before firing a shot into the upper left side from seven yards out.

Sophomore Kacie Smith scored the Skyhawks lone goal. (PHOTO BY SportsPix)

Stevenson equalized for East Stroudsburg less than five minutes before halftime when she knocked in a Howell pass from the right side from the center of the scoring area. Stevenson's second of the afternoon proved to be the gamewinner when she directed a pass from McCarthy past Freedman nine minutes into the second half.

Stonehill had one late bid to force overtime, but Smith was unable to convert off a penalty corner after time had expired.

Stonehill (0-1, 0-0 NE-10) is right back in action on Monday when it hosts No. 2-ranked Millersville University at 1 p.m. East Stroudsburg (2-0, 0-0 PSAC) visits Bloomsburg University on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market. Stonehill will serve as host of the 2016 NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championship at W.B. Mason Stadium, November 18-20.