Stonehill Shuts Out Nyack 7-0 in Season Opener

 
Junior Alexandra Murphy netted a hat trick to lead Stonehill past Nyack this afternoon. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

Murphy scores three in return from injury to lead Skyhawks

EASTON, Mass. (September 2, 2010) – Stonehill College opened the 2010 season with a 7-0 victory over Nyack College in non-conference women’s soccer action at Skyhawk Field on Thursday.  Junior forward Alexandra Murphy (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) recorded a hat trick in the first 15 minutes of play to lead the Skyhawks.

Murphy and senior captain Kirstie St. Martin (Providence, R.I./Mount Saint Charles Academy) combined for four goals in the first 15:13, on the way to a 5-0 halftime lead for Stonehill.  The Skyhawks also got a goal and an assist from junior Kelsey Mahoney (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) and senior Caitlin McEvily (New Rochelle, N.Y./The Ursuline School), and a goal from senior captain Caroline Devin (Brockton, Mass./Brockton).

Returning to the field for the first time after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in 2009, Murphy opened the scoring in the third minute, netting a header off a cross from St. Martin. She tallied her second at 12:54, again assisted by St. Martin, and added a third less than two minutes later.  St. Martin scored one of her own on Mahoney’s assist at 15:13.

Junior Sarah Hickey (Lee, Mass./Lee) and freshman Amy Wheaton (Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth) split the shutout for Stonehill, with Hickey recording one first-half save.  Senior Shannon McNeeley (Pitman, N.J.) stopped eight in net for Nyack.

Stonehill (1-0, 0-0 NE-10) returns to action this Saturday, facing Holy Family University at Skyhawk Field at 1 p.m.  Nyack (0-1, 0-0 CACC) will take on Post University at home on September 8 at 4 p.m.