Colchester, Vt. - Madelyn Verstraten's second goal of the season ultimately became the game-winner, as the St. Thomas Aquinas College Field Hockey team slipped past Saint Michael's College, 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at Duffy Field.
STAC moves to 3-11 overall and 2-7 in NE10 play with the victory, while Saint Michael's fell to 2-11 and 2-7.
The Spartans received goals from Madelief Heijmans, Hailey Galison and the aforementioned Verstraten. In the cage, Madeline Schaefer got the start and stopped both of the shots that she faced in the first half, before being replaced by Ailsa Ogilvie (W, 1-5) for the final 30 minutes. Ogilvie turned aside one of three shots sent her way to earn her first collegiate victory.
Meanwhile, Saint Michael's received scoring from both Allie Medeiros and Ashley Boucher, while goalie Riley O'Connor (L, 1-9) made 12 stops on 15 shots in a losing effort.
How it Happened
- After a scoreless first quarter, Madelief Heijmans got the Spartans on the scoreboard, as a net mouth scramble saw keeper Riley O'Connor get take out of the play while trying to make a save. A wide open cage presented it self to Heijmans, who took a loose ball and tucked it home to make it 1-0.
- A penalty corner insert by Saint Michaels allowed Bridgie Loughlin to receive the ball and pass it to teammate Allie Medeiros, who fired a high, rising shot that beat STAC netminder Ailsa Ogilvie to tie the game at 1-1.
- STAC regained its lead with just over seven and a half minutes to play, as Hailey Galison was awarded a penalty stroke by the officiating crew. Galison rifled a low shot just inside the left goal post, beating O'Conner to make it 2-1.
- The Spartans insurance goal, and soon to be game-winner, came in the final minute via Madelyn Verstraten, as Hailey Galison sent a feed to Verstraten's stick at the front of the cage for a redirection past O'Conner and over the goal to put the maroon and goal ahead by two at 3-1.
- The host Purple Knights made things interesting in the closing seconds of the match, as a penalty corner insert was driven on net by Addy Fenton and tipped past Ailsa Ogilvie by Ashley Boucher to narrow the margin to 3-2. However, with only 0.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter, St. Thomas Aquinas was able to hold on for the slim victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Saint Michael's outshot STAC 20-18 (15-8 STAC on goal) for the afternoon.
- Madelief Heijmans, Nicola Van Vuuren and Madelyn Verstraten registered a team-high five shots apiece.
- In addition to Hailey Galison's penalty stroke goal and assist, she also made three defensive saves in the first half to keep Saint Michael's off of the scoreboard.
- The Purple Knights earned 20 penalty corners to the Spartans seven in the match.
Up Next
STAC returns home for its next three matches, first taking on Mercy University on Wednesday, October 23. The Spartans and Mavericks will tangle in NE10 action, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Spartan Field.