MANCHESTER, N.H. – Junior Kristina Katsikis (Hanover, Mass.) registered three points and sophomore Elizabeth Sears (Danvers, Mass.) scored the game winner with 8:11 remaining as the Saint Anselm College field hockey team recorded a 2-1 victory against Adelphi University on Saturday afternoon at Grappone Stadium.
The Hawks win for the second time in three games, including their first win all-time in five attempts against Adelphi, to improve to 4-8, 2-4 NE-10. The Panthers lose for the seventh time in their last eight games to fall to 5-8, 2-3 NE-10.
Saint Anselm struck quickly as Katsikis converted a penalty stroke just 9:07 into the contest to stake the Hawks to a 1-0 lead.
The teams went into the halftime break that way, with Adelphi's Crystal Gray scoring off a penalty corner, after a Saint Anselm defender could not sweep the ball off the line, to knot it at one 6:46 into the second half.
In the 62nd minute, the Hawks grabbed what would be the eventual game winner when Katsikis sent a pass from left to right that Sears slapped into the right side of the net to make it 2-1. Katsikis has now had a hand in 16 of her team's 22 goals this season.
Junior goalkeeper Megan Sullivan (Braintree, Mass.) made four saves, while Adelphi goalkeeper Kristine Puzio stopped six shots.
The Hawks helped their "Corners for the Cure" initiative to raise support and awareness for breast cancer as they earned 12 penalty corners in the game. Sponsors will donate money for each penalty corner the Hawks earn during their three October home games.
The Hawks return to action Thursday, Oct. 13 when they play host to American International College at 4 p.m.
