Junior Kathryn Nelson scored both Stonehill goals tonight in the win over Bentley. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

Nelson nets both Skyhawk goals to cap opening home stand

EASTON, Mass. (September 14, 2010) – Stonehill College bounced back from a tough decision on Saturday to claim a 2-1 victory over Bentley University to close out a season-opening five game home stand in a non-conference field hockey matchup at W.B. Mason Stadium tonight.

Junior forward Kathryn Nelson (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) scored both goals for Stonehill, while freshman Devin Ingersoll (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) assisted on each. Senior goalkeeper Courtney Osier (South Dennis, Mass./Dennis-Yarmouth) preserved the win with two second half saves for the Skyhawks.

Senior Haley Smith (Georgetown, Mass./Georgetown) netted the lone goal for Bentley. Sophomore Julia Powell (Southbury, Conn./Pomperaug) finished with five saves in the cage for the Falcons.

Stonehill posted a 10-3 advantage in shots for the contest and a 12-7 edge in penalty corners, with both goals coming off corners.

Stonehill opened the scoring with 8:43 remaining in the first half as Nelson got her stick on a shot from the upper right side of the arc by Ingersoll to direct the ball past Powell. Bentley equalized 9:11 into the second half when Smith tipped in a pass from the right side by sophomore Beth Maguire (Medfield, Mass./Medfield) past a charging Osier.

Stonehill answered right back, taking the ensuing possession and forcing a corner to produce another score less than a minute later. Ingersoll found Nelson again for a drive from the center of the arc at 45:06.

Stonehill (2-3, 0-0 NE-10) is back in action on Saturday when it visits Franklin Pierce University for a non-conference clash at 1 p.m. The Skyhawks return home on Saturday, September 25, to host Saint Anselm College at noon. Bentley (0-3, 0-0 NE-10) hosts Adelphi University on Saturday at 1 p.m.