Saint Anselm College

WALTHAM, Mass. – Behind goals from juniors Sophie Smith and Leila Härtel, the No. 9 Saint Anselm College field hockey team defeated Bentley University, 2-1, in its Northeast 10 Conference opener on Saturday afternoon at Bentley Turf Field.

Highlights

• Junior Sophie Smith scored the equalizer in the second quarter, while junior Leila Härtel scored the game-winning goal early in the third quarter.
• Saint Anselm held a 7-6 advantage in shots and a 4-2 edge in penalty corners.
• The Hawks limited Bentley to two shots on goal, with goalkeeper Mackenzie Wehrum making her lone save of the afternoon in the second quarter. The senior earned her sixth victory of the season.
• With the victory, the Hawks have won 15 consecutive meetings against Bentley, dating back to the 2015 season. Saint Anselm now holds a 17-19 record in the all-time series, which began in 2001.

How it Happened

Bentley opened the scoring one minute into the second quarter when Madeline Krepelka found the back of the cage. Saint Anselm responded with pressure in the offensive end, earning three penalty corners during the period before Smith pulled the Hawks even with 2:38 remaining in the half.

Saint Anselm took the lead just two minutes into the third quarter when Härtel scored the eventual game-winning goal. The Hawks added another penalty corner shortly afterward and held Bentley without a shot during the remainder of the period to carry a 2-1 advantage into the fourth quarter.

Bentley generated two shots in the final period, including a penalty corner with five seconds remaining, but the Saint Anselm defense held firm to secure the conference-opening victory.

Up Next

Saint Anselm (6-2, 1-0 NE10) returns to action Tuesday, Oct. 6, hosting Southern New Hampshire University (6-3, 1-0 NE10) at Grappone Stadium for a 7 p.m. contest. The Hawks defeated the Penmen, 4-1, in a non-conference matchup on Sept. 16 at Dr. George J. Larkin Field.