NEW HAVEN, Conn. (November 3, 2018) – Stonehill College, ranked No 7 in this week's Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II poll, jumped out to a 6-0 lead at the half and didn't look back in claiming an 8-0 victory at Southern Connecticut State University in Northeast-10 Conference field hockey action at Jess Dow Field this evening.
Senior All-American Kacie Smith, the reigning Longstreth/NFHCA Division II Player of the Year, recorded a seven-point game for the third time this season with two goals and three assists to lead Stonehill. Her career-high matching three assists give her 37 in 77 career games, breaking the program record of 36 set by Kelly Latendresse '07. Smith has now totaled 102 goals and 37 assists for 241 points in her career, ranking second in NCAA Division II history in scoring and goals, and tied for 15th all-time for assists.
Stonehill got goals from five different players on the night, with senior Carly Andersen and freshman Olivia Cameron also netting a pair of goals for the Skyhawks. Junior All-American Michaela Antonellis and sophomore Taylor Ladue also chipped in with a goal apiece.
Senior Sara Freedman made one first half save in goal for Stonehill, before yielding to sophomore Katie Lammando and freshman Abigail Campbell to share the second half duties and complete the Skyhawks fifth shutout of the year. Junior Brianna Craft finished with 16 saves over 40:59 in the Southern Connecticut State goal, while senior Kelli McCombs made two stops in the opening 29:01.
Smith had a hand in Stonehill's first three goals as the Skyhawks grabbed a two-goal lead just 8:29 into the game. She scored the opener off a pass from freshman Charlotte Cloosterman following a penalty corner 7:17 into the contest. Smith turned provider for Andersen's first of the night just 1:12 later and then assisted on Antonellis' third goal of the season at 20:01 for a three-goal lead.
Ladue scored her first of the season 90-seconds after that for a four-goal cushion and then Cameron grabbed her first of two goals two minutes after that, off an assist from freshman Sophie Schreck at 23:32. Smith closed out the first half scoring with her second of the game and Division II-best 25th goal of the year with 3:52 to play in the half on a breakaway to send the Skyhawks into halftime with a 6-0 lead.
Stonehill added two more goals in the first nine minutes of the second half to close out the scoring. Cameron scored her sixth of the year on a rebound 1:19 into the half and then Smith dished out her program record breaking 37th career assist on Andersen's second of the night and 12th of the season at 43:38.
Stonehill (11-5, 7-4 NE10) is back in action on Tuesday, when it visits No. 4-ranked Pace University for a big NE10 battle at 6 p.m. The Skyhawks return home next Saturday, November 10, to host Saint Michael's College for Senior Day at W.B. Mason Stadium at 1 p.m. Southern Connecticut State (0-17, 0-12 NE10) hosts Adelphi University on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
September 19, 2018 BROCKTON ENTERPRISE: "Stonehill field hockey team ranked No. 2 in the country"