Smith netted her Division II best 16th goal of the season in the first half. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes) |
Hawks net three unanswered in response to Smith's 16th of the season
MANCHESTER, N.H. (October 12, 2016) – Saint Anselm College, ranked No. 6 in this week's Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II poll, scored three unanswered goals to erase a first half deficit and claim a 3-1 victory over No. 4 Stonehill College in Northeast-10 Conference field hockey action at Grappone Stadium tonight.
Senior Rose Mooney (North Attleboro, Massachusetts/North Attleboro) and juniors Jamie McNamara (Auburn, Massachusetts/Auburn) and Erin Collins (Auburn, Massachusetts/Auburn) scored the goals to lift Saint Anselm to the key NE-10 win. Senior Katherine Sears (Northboro, Massachusetts/Algonquin) preserved the win with two saves in the Hawks cage.
Saint Anselm posted an 18-8 advantage for shots on the night, while holding a 14-5 edge in penalty corners. Sophomore Sara Freedman (Hopkinton, Massachusetts/Hopkinton) finished with eight saves, while classmate Kacie Smith (Norwood, Massachusetts/Norwood) netted Stonehill's lone goal.
Freedman registered eight saves in goal for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes) |
Smith put Stonehill in front 14:33 into the contest when freshman Justine Timmermans (Huizen, The Netherlands) collected a loose ball after a corner and fed Smith for a bank-handed shot from ten yards out through a crowd in front of the goal for her NCAA Division II leading 16th goal of the season. Saint Anselm equalized just 1:11 before halftime as Collins tapped in a pass from sophomore Maddie Bressler (Franklin, Massachusetts/Franklin) for her third goal of the season.
Saint Anselm grabbed the lead 7:10 into the second half as Mooney potted her second goal of the season with a blast from eight yards out. McNamara provided an insurance goal six minutes later, assisted by junior Mia Vecchione (Chelmsford, Massachusetts/Bishop Guertin), slipping her first goal of the year in at 48:12.
Stonehill was able to draw a pair of corners down the stretch in an attempt to make a comeback, but was unable to place a shot on target in the closing 22-miuntes to see its win streak halted at four games.
Stonehill (9-3, 6-2 NE-10) is back in action on Friday night when it visits Southern Connecticut State University for an NE-10 matchup at 6 p.m. The Skyhawks return home next Wednesday, October 19, to host American International College, currently ranked No. 10 in the country, at 7 p.m. Saint Anselm (11-2, 6-1 NE-10) is at American International on Saturday at 5 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.
