COLCHESTER, Vt. – Junior Colleen Sears (Danvers, Mass.) scored to tie the game in the 45th minute, but the ninth-ranked Saint Anselm College field hockey team was clipped by Saint Michael's College, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at Duffy Field.
The Hawks see their three-game winning streak snapped as they fall to 5-2 on the season and 1-1 in Northeast-10 play. The Purple Knights, meanwhile, win their third straight – and second consecutive against a nationally-ranked opponent – to improve to 7-3, 3-0 NE-10.
"We gave a great effort today and had many opportunities to come out on top," said head coach Carolyn King. "We simply did not execute well enough to win today and Saint Michael's did."
Saint Michael's struck first with just 4:55 remaining in the opening half when Cassaundra Davis sent a long pass through the defense that set up a breakaway for Samantha Burns, who beat sophomore goalkeeper Katherine Sears (Northboro, Mass.) to make it 1-0.
The Hawks gained the equalizer 9:09 into the second half when a hard pass from sophomore Rose Mooney (No. Attleborough, Mass.) off a penalty corner was tipped into the cage by Colleen Sears to even it at 1-1.
The Purple Knights, however, went ahead just 9:10 later off a penalty corner as Hannah Bearsley's pass from the right side was tipped in by Morgan Mazanec at the left post.
Saint Anselm had a chance about seven minutes later when it earned four penalty corners in a five-minute span, but could not take advantage.
Sears made five saves, while Saint Michael's goalkeeper Sarah Healey stopped 11 shots.
Saint Anselm outshot the Purple Knights, 20-13, including 13-8 in the opening stanza. Saint Michael's, meanwhile, held a 12-7 advantage in penalty corners.
The Hawks return to action Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. when they play host to Assumption 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.
