EASTON, Mass. – Senior Elizabeth Sears (Danvers, Mass.) scored a pair of goals and sophomore Canada Stewart (Derry, N.H.) tallied a goal and an assist, but the Saint Anselm College field hockey team was handed a 4-3 defeat by fourth-ranked Stonehill College on Wednesday evening at W.B. Mason Stadium.
The Hawks see their two-game winning streak cut short as they fall to 4-6 on the season, including 2-3 in Northeast-10 play. The Skyhawks remain perfect at 11-0, 4-0 NE-10.
Saint Anselm jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 7:14 into the game when Sears' drive from the top of the circle, off a penalty corner insert from sophomore Meagan Halligan (No. Brandford, Conn.), found the back of the net.
Stonehill wasted no time finding the equalizer as Erika Kelly knocked in a loose ball from the right side after a scramble in front that knotted the game just 59 seconds later.
Stewart then responded by finally breaking through for her first goal of the season when her one-timer off a Halligan feed snuck inside the far post to put Saint Anselm back on top, 2-1, at the 12:09 mark.
The Hawks grabbed some insurance just 4:20 later when Sears beat Stonehill goalkeeper Elizabeth Genovese with a shot from the middle of the circle after receiving a Stewart pass from the left side.
Kelly would again keep the Skyhawks in the game as her low shot from the left side of the circle beat freshman goalkeeper Katherine Sears (Northboro, Mass.) into the right side of the cage to cut the deficit to 3-2 at the 18:09 mark.
The contest would stay that way until the 50th minute when Kelly potted the hat trick after breaking up a clear attempt on the left side and firing a low shot inside the far post that tied the game.
Stonehill would gain their first lead of the night with 17:14 remaining in regulation when a failed Saint Anselm clear set up Maggie Travers with a long drive from the left side of the circle that found the back of the net to make it 4-3.
Kate Sears, the reigning Northeast-10 Goalkeeper of the Week and ECAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, made a career-high 10 saves. Genovese stopped three shots.
Despite the close score, Stonehill held advantages in both shots (26-8) and penalty corners (11-3).
The Hawks return to action Saturday, Oct. 12 at 2:30 p.m. when they play host to Mercy College at Grappone Stadium. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter @STAHawks.
