MANCHESTER, NH – On Saturday afternoon, the No. 6 Assumption University field hockey team defeated No. 3 Saint Anselm College in the NCAA Division II First Round for the second straight year, winning 2-1.
THE BASICS:
Score: Assumption University 2, Saint Anselm College 1
Records: Greyhounds (16-6, 12-1 NE10), Hawks (18-4, 11-2 NE10)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Greyhounds and the Hawks were at a stalemate in the first quarter, with both sides trying to feel each other out.
Elle Murray managed the first shot of the contest, which Mackenzie McConnell saved. After one period of play, it was tied at 0-0.
The Hawks got going in the second quarter, earning penalty corners and having their shots blocked.
Lily Daly got Assumption on the board, firing a shot past McConnell and putting the Hounds up 1-0.
Chloe Kaeller picked up an assist on the action. For five minutes of action, the Hawks dominated play with shots and penalty corners. However, they could not get anything past the strong Hounds defense. Assumption couldn't manage any more offense in the second quarter and led 1-0 at the break.
The third quarter saw Saint Anselm control possession, winning four penalty corners in the period, with Chloe Kapsambelis and Abby Bevens managing shots that
Paige Gillette saved. Maddie Davis won a corner with less than two minutes to go and slid a pass over to Abby Breznyak, who blocked her effort. The period ended with no change in score, and Assumption hung on to a 1-0 lead.
It was the hosting Hawks who would score next, with Maggie Burchill continuing her impressive season, firing a rebound in off of a Beven's saved shot. However, less than a minute later, Daly batted a pass out of the air past McConnell, getting her second on the day and immediately restoring Assumption's lead. With only seven minutes to reply, the Hawks pressured but could not get anything else past Gillette. Assumption defeated Saint Anselm 2-1 in the NCAA First Round for the second straight year.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Daly added two goals to her remarkable season, upping her total to 17.
- The Hawks outshot the Hounds 15-4, with eight on goal and three on goal for the visitors.
- Gillette made seven saves for the Hounds, while McConnell had one on the day.
- Saint Anselm controlled the offensive flow, earning 13 penalty corners to only one for Assumption.
- The Hounds are 18-19 all-time against the Hawks.
UP NEXT
- AU vs East Stroudsburg in NCAA Division II Semifinals, Friday, November 17, 2:00 pm
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