EASTON, Mass. (October 27, 2024) – Stonehill College scored all three goals in the first half and made them stand the rest of the way, notching its third shutout of the season, with a 3-0 victory over Mercyhurst University in a Northeast Conference field hockey matchup on Timothy J. Coughlin, '80 Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium this afternoon.
Highlights
- Stonehill honored its two seniors and families prior to this afternoon's game, as classmate Stori Rounds and Shannon Conte both played their final home game for the Skyhawks today.
- Conte preserved her third shutout of the season with three saves – all coming in the third quarter to make Stonehill's three first-half goals stand.
- Stonehill got goals from junior Makayla Strickulis, sophomore Tyra Stark and freshman Hannah Bickford.
- Senior Kayla Desormeau registered 13 saves in the Mercyhurst cage to keep the Lakers within reach.
Stark scored her tenth career goal, her sixth gamewinner, to open the Skyhawks three goal first half (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)
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How It Happened
- Stark opened the scoring just 4:02 into the contest, knocking in a rebound from the right side for her team-leading sixth goal of the year.
- Bickford doubled the Skyhawks lead five and a half minutes later when she directed a cross from the right side by freshman Nadine Janssen that threaded through the Mercyhurst goalkeeper at the doorstep for her second goal of the season.
- Strickulis stretched Stonehill's lead to three goals with 3:48 remaining in the first half with her fourth goal of the year during a scrum in front of the cage knocking in a deflected ball.
- Conte made the goals stand the rest of the way, making all three of her saves in the third quarter, for her third shutout of the season. Sophomore Julieta D'Antonio added a defensive save, clearing the ball near the far post after two Conte saves in succession late in the quarter.
Noteworthy
- Stonehill finished 4-0 at W.B. Mason Stadium this season with the win, which while added to its three neutral site wins, gives the Skyhawks a 7-0 record in their designated home contests. The Skyhawks have won five straight at W.B. Mason Stadium dating back to last season.
- Stonehill will carry its NEC Tournament candidacy into the regular season finale at Fairfield University (5-2) who the Skyhawks trail by a game but can finish even and claim the head-to-head tiebreaker with a win. Stonehill is currently tied with Saint Francis University (4-3) and LIU (4-3) for the fourth and final spot in the upcoming NEC Tournament. The Skyhawks can clinch with a win but will likely need some help due to head-to-head losses to Saint Francis and LIU. A win, Saint Francis win against Mercyhurst and LIU loss at Sacred Heart University on Friday is the clearest route to the postseason due to the Red Flash owning a win over Fairfield.
- Stark is tied for ninth among NEC leaders with her career-best season goal total. The goal today was the tenth of her career in 35 games over two seasons – surpassing the four she scored as a freshman. Six of her ten career goals are game-winners, including today's marker.
- Conte's three shutouts this season are tied for third in the NEC.
- Janssen notched her first collegiate point with an assist on Bickford's goal.
Up Next
Stonehill (7-10, 4-3 NEC) returns to action on Friday when it looks to do its part to clinch a postseason spot at Fairfield University for an NEC matchup at 3 p.m. Mercyhurst (0-12, 0-7 NEC) hosts Slippery Rock University on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
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.
