Ten different Skyhawks score while defense holds Owls to seven shots

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (March 26, 2011) – Stonehill College, jumping three spots to the #6 ranking in this week’s Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division II national poll, cruised to their sixth consecutive victory with a 25-1 decision over host Southern Connecticut State University in Northeast-10 Conference play this afternoon.

Sophomore Heather Sullivan (Andover, Mass./Andover) and senior Hannah Anderson (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) each scored four times, junior Sam Lynott (Holbrook, N.Y./East Sachem) collected a game-high seven points, and sophomore Kayla Green (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) tallied six as Stonehill ran their conference record to 3-0. Sophomore Rebecca Moore (Marlborough, Mass./St. Mark's School) went the distance in net for the Skyhawks, allowing just a single goal for the second time in six starts.

Heather Sullivan tallied four goals and an assist for the Skyhawks. (PHOTO BY Shane Bufano)

Sullivan had a hand in the first three goals of the game, scoring twice and setting up Green for a third in just over two minutes of play, and the Skyhawks streaked out to a 12-0 lead as Anderson netted three in a row, junior Sarah Galligan (West Newbury, Mass./Pentucket Regional) scored twice, and Lynott capped the run with an assist from Green with 8:01 remaining in the half. Southern Connecticut broke through at the 5:57 mark when freshman Erica Martino (Monroe, Conn./Masuk) put one past Moore for the Owls’ lone goal of the day.

Junior Kaitlyn Wood (North Massapequa, N.Y./Saint Anthony's) and freshman Mary Lee Mahony (Yardley, Pa./Villa Joseph Marie) each netted a free position shot during the final three minutes to stake the Skyhawks to a 15-1 lead at halftime.

Stonehill limited Southern Connecticut to four shots during the second half, capping a strong defensive outing powered by freshman Kelsey Shannahan (Mendham, N.J./Morris Catholic), with a game-high four caused turnovers and four ground balls, and senior Emily Kerwin (Bristol, R.I./Portsmouth Abbey), who notched three of each. The Skyhawks racked up another ten goals in the final 30 minutes, punctuated by Sullivan’s fourth of the day with 3:35 remaining to wrap it up.

Stonehill (6-0, 3-0 NE-10) returns home Tuesday to host conference opponent Bentley University at 4 p.m.