St. Martin nets hat trick to lead Skyhawks

EASTON, Mass. (September 7, 2010) – The Stonehill College women’s soccer team opened their Northeast-10 Conference schedule with a 5-1 victory over Southern New Hampshire University at Skyhawk Field this afternoon.

Senior Kirstie St. Martin (Providence, R.I./Mount Saint Charles Academy) notched a hat trick for Stonehill, scoring three first-half goals. The Skyhawks also got a goal and an assist from senior Caitlin McEvily (New Rochelle, N.Y./The Ursuline School) and junior Kelsey Mahoney (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth).

An aggressive defensive effort by the Skyhawks’ back line and 11 saves from junior goalkeeper Sarah Hickey (Lee, Mass./Lee) held Southern New Hampshire to one goal.

St. Martin put away her first goal just two minutes into the game, when she corralled a throw-in from Mahoney and got past her defender on the right side of the net. She scored a second time in the 23rd minute, set up by McEvily, and netted a third unassisted tally in the 32nd minute when she crossed up the Penmen keeper for an open look.

Southern New Hampshire broke through in the 51st minute, when junior Ariel Teixeira (Warren, R.I./Mount Hope) lofted a high floater just past Hickey’s reach, but the Skyhawks responded seconds later as Mahoney scored their fifth of the afternoon.

Stonehill (2-1, 1-0 NE-10) returns to Skyhawk Field on Friday to take on St. Michael’s at 4 p.m. Southern New Hampshire (1-1, 0-1 NE-10) will host Southern Connecticut State on Friday at 7 p.m.

Press play below for postgame interviews with St. Martin and head coach Rolando Lopes.