EASTON, Mass. (October 25, 2024) – Stonehill College scored on both sides of halftime to erase a Sacred Heart University goal and secure a 2-1 victory in Northeast Conference field hockey action on Timothy J. Coughlin, '80 Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium to kickoff Homecoming Weekend at the College this afternoon.
Highlights
- Senior Shannon Conte posted four of her five saves in the fourth quarter to preserve the Stonehill win.
- Freshman Emma McGrory and sophomore Roos van Zwol each scored goals for the Skyhawks.
- Junior Ines Braithwaite scored the lone goal for Sacred Heart.
- Senior Samantha Maresca finished with three saves in the Pioneers goal, while junior Emma Brayford chipped in with a defensive save.
Conte made four of her five saves in the fourth quarter to preserve the Skyhawks win (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)
|
How It Happened
- Sacred Heart, who posted the only three shots of the opening quarter over the last 90 seconds of the frame off a pair of penalty corners, struck first when Braithwaite netted her third goal of the season on a pass from sophomore Blaire Sparks just 63-seconds into the second quarter.
- That would be the final shot of the half for the Pioneers as Stonehill started to take hold of the game and equalized with just 19 seconds remaining in the half when McGrory scored off a deflected pass inside the arc following a penalty corner for her fourth goal of the season.
- van Zwol's third goal of the season pushed Stonehill in front 2:22 into the third quarter, converting her second penalty stroke goal of the year for what would prove to be the gamewinner.
- Conte did the rest, preserving the victory with her four fourth-quarter saves as the Skyhawks also fended off two Sacred Heart penalty corners in the frame.
Noteworthy
- Stonehill improved to 3-0 this season at W.B. Mason Stadium with the win, which while added to its three neutral site wins, give the Skyhawks a 6-0 record in their designated home contests. The Skyhawks have won four-straight at W.B. Mason Stadium dating back to last season.
- McGrory is second on the team with four goals in her first collegiate season.
- van Zwol has converted her two penalty strokes attempted this season.
- Stonehill remains alive for a spot in the upcoming NEC Tournament with the win. The Skyhawks are just a half game behind Saint Francis University (4-3 NEC) and LIU (4-3) with two Conference games to play, and tied in the loss column, but the Red Flash and Sharks do own the head-to-head tiebreaker. Stonehill is a game in the loss column behind Fairfield University (5-2) for third, who the Skyhawks will visit for the regular season finale next week.
Up Next
Stonehill (6-10, 3-3 NEC) is right back in action at W.B. Mason Stadium on Sunday when it hosts Mercyhurst University for an NEC matchup on Senior Day at noon. Sacred Heart (5-11, 2-5 NEC) visits Quinnipiac University in non-conference play on Sunday at noon.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and check out its all-new website, powered by Sidearm Sports, at stonehillskyhawks.com.
