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Andersen scored both Stonehill goals in the second half to secure the win. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes) |
Andersen's second half pair lifts Skyhawks past Falcons as Freedman posts second straight shutout
EASTON, Mass. (October 8, 2016) – Stonehill College, ranked No. 5 in this week's Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II poll, got two quick goals in the second half to overcome rival Bentley University, 2-0, in Northeast-10 Conference field hockey action on Senior Day at Timothy J. Coughlin '80 Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium today.
Sophomore Carly Andersen (Cheshire, Connecticut/Canterbury School) scored two second half goals and classmate Sara Freedman (Hopkinton, Massachusetts/Hopkinton) made eight saves to preserve her second straight shutout, the sixth of the season and eighth of her career, to lead Stonehill to its fourth straight win. Freedman made five saves in a scoreless first half to keep the Skyhawks level for Andersen to provide the offense in the closing 35-minutes. Freedman and the Stonehill defense have now kept 155:36 scoreless minutes dating back to the second half of the Skyhawks 3-2 overtime win at Assumption College last Saturday.
Freedman and Anderson overcame a career-high 17 save performance from Bentley senior goalkeeper Evelyn Schaedel (Burlington, Vermont/Burlington). She registered nine of those saves in the scoreless first half, with senior Tori Ellis (Madison, New Jersey/Madison) and junior Taylor Kane (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania/Liberty) each contributing defensive saves for the Falcons. Stonehill held a 28-11 advantage for shots for the afternoon to go with a 13-4 edge in penalty corners. Stonehill junior back Alexandra Dillon (Canton, Massachusetts/Canton) also chipped in with a defensive save for the Skyhawks.
Freedman posted her second straight shutout with eight saves. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes) |
Anderson lifted Stonehill to the win with her two unassisted goals just 2:45 apart to lift the Skyhawks past Bentley. Her opening goal came with 13-minutes remaining as she punched a loose ball off a rebound near the end line on the left side at a low angle off the keeper and in. She followed that up with her seventh goal of the season (tenth career) at 59:45 off her own rebound as her third shot on a back hand on the left side finally got past Schaedel for the insurance tally. Both Stonehill goals came off third attempts after Andersen's opener followed up Schaedel stops on sophomore Kacie Smith (Norwood, Massachusetts/Norwood) and junior Alexandria Sylvia (Brockton, Massachusetts/Brockton).
Stonehill (9-2, 6-1 NE-10) returns to action on Wednesday when it visits No. 7 Saint Anselm College for a big NE-10 matchup at 7 p.m. The Skyhawks don't return home until Wednesday, October 19, to host American International College, currently ranked No. 9 in the country, at 7 p.m. Bentley (6-7, 4-3 NE-10) hosts Merrimack College on Tuesday at 6 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.
