Hope, White lead Stonehill past Hawks for first time since 2004

EASTON, Mass. (October 9, 2010) – The Stonehill College men’s soccer team today claimed their first victory over Saint Anselm College since the 2004 season, winning a 2-1 decision at home.

Sophomore Jonathan Hope (Avon, Conn./Avon) connected for his second goal of the season, and junior Michael White (Lisbon, N.H./Lisbon Regional) scored on a penalty kick and picked up an assist. Senior goalkeeper Brandon McFarlane (Norwich, Conn./Norwich Free Academy) made two saves on the afternoon to wrap up a key conference victory for the Skyhawks.

Junior Justin Colella (Wilmington, Mass./St. John's Prep) scored the lone goal for Saint Anselm, and sophomore goalkeeper Eric Moriarty (Center Harbor, N.H./Moultonborough Acad.) finished with two saves.

The Skyhawks got on the board first after White found himself in traffic in front of the net and played the ball back out to Hope, who converted a shot from near the top of the box to give Stonehill the early lead. White got his chance less than ten minutes later when Stonehill was awarded a penalty kick after junior Ross McWilliams (Kingston, R.I./South Kingstown) was upended on the left side of the penalty box, and White buried the shot to the goalkeeper’s right side for the eventual winner.

After the Hawks managed just three shots in the first half, they were held scoreless until Colella broke through in the 73rd minute, collecting a pass from junior Joshua Rocco (North Reading, Mass./North Reading) and finding the back of the net to avoid the shutout.

Stonehill (5-4-1, 3-4-1 NE-10) plays the next two matches at home, hosting Post University on October 12 at 3:30 p.m. and Franklin Pierce University on October 16 at 11 a.m. Saint Anselm (3-7-1, 3-4-1 NE-10) hosts Mercy on October 10 at 1 p.m.