Freedman posted five saves in the Stonehill cage. (PHOTO BY Jim Stankiewicz) |
Early second half surge the difference for Marauders in opener
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. (September 2, 2017) – A two goal burst early in the second half sent Millersville University, ranked No. 3 in the Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II poll, on its way to a 3-1 victory over No. 5-ranked Stonehill College in non-conference field hockey action on Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium this afternoon.
Millersville got goals from three different players, including a pair of markers in the opening five minutes of the second half key the win between top five opponents. Junior Aliza Mizak (Hummelstown, Pennsylvania/Lower Dauphin) and sophomores Alexis Gazzio (Hershey, Pennsylvania/Hershey) and Kyra Brakefield (East Petersburg, Pennsylvania/Hempfield) potted goals for the Marauders, while junior Kylee Bair (Mount Joy, Pennsylvania/Donegal) preserved the win in goal with six saves.
Smith scored the Skyhawks goal in the second half. (PHOTO BY Jim Stankiewicz) |
Millersville finished with a 17-10 advantage in shots for the contest, with penalty corners even at seven apiece. Junior Kacie Smith (Norwood, Massachusetts/Norwood) netted Stonehill's goal, while classmate Sara Freedman (Hopkinton, Massachusetts/Hopkinton) registered five saves in the Skyhawks goal.
Millersville opened the scoring 10:39 into the contest when Gazzio tucked a shot off a loose ball from the left side off Freedman and into the corner. The score would stand into halftime as the Marauders posted a 10-4 advantage in shots and 5-1 edge on corners. The hosts opened the second half with two goals in the first 5:42 to claim control. Brakefield doubled the lead 1:54 into the half and then Mizak ran the lead to three goals at 40:42.
Smith netted Stonehill's opening goal of the season at 58:55 off a feed from senior Hannah Gifford (Goffstown, New Hampshire/Goffstown). It marks Smith's 37th career goal in 42 games, giving her 86 career points. The Skyhawks wouldn't get any closer despite a 6-2 advantage on corners over the closing 35-minutes.
Stonehill (0-1, 0-0 NE10) is right back in action tomorrow at No. 2-ranked East Stroudsburg University at 1 p.m. The Skyhawks home opener is Wednesday night, September 6, when they host American International College for a non-conference matchup at W.B. Mason Stadium at 7 p.m. Millersville (1-0, 0-0 PSAC) hosts Mercyhurst University for its PSAC opener next Saturday at noon.
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