New Haven, Conn. (August 31) - The Saint Anselm women's soccer team kicked off Northeast-10 conference play tonight defeating No. 16 Southern Connecticut (1-1-1, 0-1 NE-10) 1-0 in double overtime on a penalty kick goal.

The Hawks and the Owls played almost even the entire match. Goalkeeper Jacqueline Cooney (Braintree, Mass.) turned away three shots in the first half while the Hawks never managed to get a shot on goal. Cooney went on to make two more saves in the second half.

The Hawks' best scoring chances came off of five corner kicks through the first two halves, with Catherine Bruce (Lebanon, Conn.) taking four. Bruce's corner late at the 89:07 mark was the last chance the Hawks had to put away Southern Connecticut before being forced into overtime.

Neither team managed much offense in the first overtime period with only one shot taken between both teams, but the Hawks caught a break in the second overtime period. Ryann Cullinan (Windham, N.H.) broke hard towards the net and she was taken down from behind inside the penalty area at the 103:52 mark. Heidi Reece (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) converted giving the Hawks the 1-0 double overtime win.

The Hawks (2-1, 1-0 NE-10) are back in action this Sunday, Sept. 2, when they travel to Philadelphia, Pa. to take on Philadelphia University (0-2) at Noon.