MANCHESTER, N.H. – Senior Elizabeth Sears (Danvers, Mass.) scored a pair of goals, including one in the fourth minute of overtime that lifted the Saint Anselm College field hockey team to a 3-2 victory against Franklin Pierce University on Tuesday afternoon at Grappone Stadium.
The win snaps a two-game skid for the Hawks, who even their record at 2-2. The Ravens drop to 1-3.
Tied at two just 3:57 into the extra frame, Sears tracked down the ball in the middle of the circle and sent a blast toward the cage that made its way into the right side of the net and gave the Hawks the victory.
Saint Anselm held a 13-10 advantage in shots, including 4-0 in overtime.
The Hawks came just inches from grabbing a 1-0 lead just under 10 minutes into the contest when junior Bridget Davis (Mansfield, Mass.) received the ball at the top of the circle off a penalty corner and ripped a shot that caromed off the left post.
The Hawks finally did break the ice with 5:11 left in the opening half after sophomore Colleen Sears (Danvers, Mass.) collected a loose ball off a scrum in front and flipped it into the open right side of the net to make it 1-0.
Liz Sears doubled the Saint Anselm lead 7:21 into the second stanza. She carried the ball up the middle of the field on a breakaway and ripped a shot that was stopped by Franklin Pierce goalkeeper Amy Zahensky. Sears scooped up her own rebound, maneuvered to open space and sent the ball into the open right side of the net for a 2-0 advantage. Sears' five goals rank her third in the Northeast-10 Conference, while her 10 points place her fifth.
The Ravens jumped on the board 7:30 later when the Hawks' failed clear led to a goal. Jessica Rogers stopped the Saint Anselm clear attempt at the top of the circle and sent it down to the left side of the cage for Taylor Libby, who beat sophomore goalkeeper Shauna Whittemore (Bennington, N.H.) to slice the deficit in half.
Franklin Pierce tied it with 12:30 left in regulation as Rogers tallied one of her own. Erin Trainor received the insert off a corner and slid the ball to her right for Rogers, whose long shot rolled past everyone and into the right side of the net.
The Hawks came out reinvigorated in overtime, however, and completely dominated the session to earn the win.
Whittemore and Zahensky both made five saves.
The Ravens held a 14-11 advantage in penalty corners.
The Hawks return to action Saturday, Sept. 21 at noon when they play host to Adelphi University at Grappone. 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.
