Freedman moved within two shutouts of the program's single-season record with her seventh of the season tonight. (PHOTO BY Jan Volk/SportsPix) |
Smith notches fourth hat trick, Freedman records seventh shutout with six saves
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 14, 2016) – Stonehill College broke open a one goal game at halftime with four second half goals to claim a 5-0 victory over Southern Connecticut State University in Northeast-10 Conference field hockey action at Jess Dow Field tonight.
Sophomore Kacie Smith (Norwood, Massachusetts/Norwood) recorded her fourth hat trick of the season and classmate Sara Freedman (Hopkinton, Massachusetts/Hopkinton) notched her seventh shutout with six saves to lead Stonehill to its tenth win of the season. Smith's three goals tonight give her an NCAA Division II leading 19 for the season, moving into a tie for sixth on the program's single-season list, while Freedman's seven shutouts are tied with assistant coach Courtney Osier '11 for sixth on the program's single-season list, two shy of the program record of nine by Dani Ryder '08 in 2006.
Junior Alexandra Gerew (Harrisville, Rhode Island/Pomfret School) added a goal and assist for Stonehill, while classmate Alexandria Sylvia (Brockton, Massachusetts/Brockton) chipped in a goal. Sophomore back MacKenzie Greenberg (Mendon, Massachusetts/Hopedale) notched a defensive save to assist in the shutout. The Skyhawks held a 32-13 advantage for shots in the contest, but Southern had an 8-6 edge in penalty corners. Freshman Brianna Craft (Hamden, Connecticut/Hamden) finished with 15 saves in the Southern Connecticut goal.
Gerew collected a goal and assist for the Skyhawks tonight. (PHOTO BY Jan Volk/SportsPix) |
Smith gave Stonehill a first half lead when she fired a shot into the lower left corner of the goal 20:39 into the game. Sears finished with 11 first half saves for Southern to hold the Skyhawks to just the one goal despite a 19-8 advantage in shots.
Sylvia gave Stonehill some breathing room 3:53 into the second half when she redirected a shot from Gerew past the goalkeeper for her third goal of the year. Smith broke the game open with the next two goals of the game to round out her hat trick performance. She scored off a rebound just three minutes after Sylvia's marker and then scored from the center of the arc at 55:09. Gerew rounded out the scoring on the night with her third goal of the season with 3:25 remaining in regulation with a low drive from the left side of the circle.
Stonehill (10-3, 7-2 NE-10) returns home on Wednesday when it hosts American International College, currently ranked No. 10 in the country, at W.B. Mason Stadium at 7 p.m. Southern Connecticut (4-10, 1-6 NE-10) visits Mercy College for a non-conference matchup on Wednesday at 4 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.
