MANCHESTER, N.H. - The Saint Anselm women's soccer team defeated the Southern Connecticut Owls this afternoon, 3-1, to capture their first win at Melucci Field this season.  Senior Heidi Reece (Salem, N.Y.) had two goals and an assist in the game, contributing to all three Hawk goals. 

The Hawks got off to a slow start, as the Owls dominated for the majority of the first half. Saint Anselm only made it downfield for one shot in the entire period.  At 17:52, Danielle MacMurray (Griswold, Conn.) got open and scored an unassisted goal to put the Owls ahead 1-0.

The Hawks came into the second half ready for action, and just 30 seconds into the period, senior Mary Kate Heavey (Medfield, Mass.), assisted by Heidi Reece, laced a shot over the goalkeeper's head to tie the game at one.  Over the next 20 minutes, the Hawks retained control of the ball and got close, but could not get past goalkeeper Katie DiDio (Vernon, Conn.) until, at 64:48, Erika Sartor (Andover, Mass.) won the ball in the middle, passed to Jackie McEvoy (Spring, Tex.) in the box, who dribbled past a defender and set up Reece, who netted the ball to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead.

13 minutes later, Teresa Vercollone (Pembroke, Mass.), looking to secure the Hawks' lead, drove the ball down the right side.  She crossed it to Keara Dolan (Madison, Conn.) in the box who sent a perfect pass towards the goal to Reece at the left side of the net who knocked it in, running the score to 3-1, Hawks.

With the five points she scored in today's game, Reece is now tied for fifth on the Hawks' all-time career points list with 47.  She is also tied for fifth with 17 career goals.  Additionally, Reece scored the game-winning goal in today's match, moving her up to fourth on the team with five career game-winning goals.

The Hawks outshot the Owls 18-7 in the game and all but three were on goal for a percentage of .833.  Owl goalie Katie DiDio had 12 saves and Jackie Cooney (Braintree, Mass.) had four.  The Hawks improve to 2-1-1 overall and remain perfect in conference play with a 2-0 Northeast-10 record.  The Owls are now 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the NE-10.

The Hawks look for their third conference win next Saturday when they travel to New York to play the Pace University Setters (1-1-1, 0-1 NE-10).  The game is scheduled for 2:00 pm.