Smith notches goal and assist, Freedman posts four save shutout
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Smith posted a goal and assist to lead the Skyhawks past SNHU. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes) |
EASTON, Mass. (September 27, 2016) – Stonehill College, ranked No. 5 in this week's Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II poll, grinded out a 2-0 victory over Southern New Hampshire University in Northeast-10 Conference field hockey action at Timothy J. Coughlin '80 Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium tonight.
Sophomore forward Kacie Smith (Norwood, Massachusetts/Norwood) had a role in both Stonehill markers with a goal and assist, while classmate Sara Freedman (Hopkinton, Massachusetts/Hopkinton) preserved her fourth shutout of the season with four saves in the Skyhawks goal. Senior captain Shea Healy (Greenfield, Massachusetts/Pioneer Valley) added a goal for the Skyhawks, while junior Alexandra Dillon (Canton, Massachusetts/Canton) dished an assist.
Sophomore Melanie Rennie (Madison, Connecticut/Daniel Hand) kept Southern New Hampshire in the game with 13 saves, with five in a scoreless first half and eight in the second. Classmate Alison Hildreth (Hampton, New Hampshire/Winnacunnet) helped with the defensive effort in front of Rennie with a defensive save in the first half. Stonehill finished with a 33-6 advantage in shots, including 21-2 in a second half in which it dominated possession, while posting a 12-0 edge in penalty corners.
Freedman made four saves for her fourth shutout of the year. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes) |
Following a scoreless first half, Stonehill finally broke through off a corner 2:42 into the second half when Smith took a pass from freshman Justine Timmermans (Huizen, The Netherlands), ducked past a defender and then lofted a high shot to Rennie's left for her 13th goal of the season. Smith turned provider as Healy produced an insurance goal for the Skyhawks with 9:18 remaining as she took Dillon's corner pass and flicked a pass to Healy on the left from the top of the arc for a drive into the back of the cage for her second goal of the year.
Stonehill (6-2, 3-1 NE-10) returns to action on Saturday, when it visits Assumption College for a Northeast-10 matchup at 6 p.m. The Skyhawks return home next Wednesday, October 5, to host Franklin Pierce University at 7 p.m. Southern N.H. (3-6, 0-5 NE-10) hosts Mercy College on Friday at 3 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.
