St. Martin scores both goals for Skyhawks, including 89th-minute winner

EASTON, Mass. (September 10, 2010) – The Stonehill College women’s soccer team won a 2-1 decision over Saint Michael’s College in a Northeast-10 Conference matchup Friday at Skyhawk Field. Senior captain Kirstie St. Martin (Providence, R.I./Mount Saint Charles Academy) scored both goals for the Skyhawks, netting the winner in the 89th minute.

Senior Caitlin McEvily (New Rochelle, N.Y./The Ursuline School) and junior Kelsey Mahoney (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) recorded assists for the Skyhawks, and junior goalkeeper Sarah Hickey (Lee, Mass./Lee) made five saves in the victory. Saint Michael’s sophomore Megan Olsen (Glenmont, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) scored for the Purple Knights, and junior goalkeeper Brittany Cocozza (East Greenwich, R.I./East Greenwich) tallied six saves.

The first half was spent largely in the Stonehill end, with Saint Michael’s pressuring heavily on offense and managing six early shots. The Stonehill defense, led by tenacious efforts from sophomores Elizabeth Belanger (Hooksett, N.H./Manchester Central) and Sara Nagle (Manchester, Conn./Manchester), held the Purple Knights to one goal in the half as Hickey made four first-half saves.

Saint Michael’s got on the board in the 27th minute when Hickey punched away a penalty kick attempt by Olsen, and Olsen was able to put back the rebound. St. Martin matched it less than two minutes later, taking a pass up the left side from McEvily and finding the back of the net to tie the game at 1.

Stonehill tallied 16 shots in the second half but were held off by the Purple Knights until St. Martin connected again in the 89th minute. Mahoney drove down the right side and found St. Martin in front of the net, and St. Martin got past her defender in time to trap the ball and line the winner past Cocozza’s dive.

Stonehill (3-1, 2-0 NE-10) is back in action on Sunday when they visit Adelphi University for a noon matchup. Saint Michael’s (1-2, 0-1 NE-10) hosts Bentley University on Sunday at 3 p.m.