Field hockey wins two games in Massachusetts
The Saint Joseph’s University field hockey team successfully took the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 5-2 comeback victory over the University of Massachusetts on Oct. 20.
Headed into this matchup, the Hawks jumped to 19th in the Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches association Coaches Poll after spending the previous four weeks at the 21st spot.
The first half of play was an offensive struggle for St. Joe’s, which gave UMass the opportunity to rack up a two point cushion headed into half.
The Minutewomen’s first goal came from Melanie Kreusch at the seven minute mark assisted by Sophie de Jonge. This same duo secured a second goal nine minutes later. Massachusetts maintained this lead until the half came to a close.
Hawks coach Lynn Farquhar made sure to highlight the initial strong performance from UMass and shed light on what the Hawks had to do to recover.
“Massachusetts is a strong program with a great senior class,” Farquhar said. “They were able to convert early. It was important to trust the process and play in the moment. We reminded each other of the game plan and tried to be a bit more aggressive.”
This halftime conversation paid off for St. Joe’s, because what followed was a second half shutout combined with five goals. Junior Anna Willock and freshmen Emily Peters and Quinn Maguire contributed to the Hawk’s offensive domination.
Peters had two goals throughout the half. The first was self orchestrated and came at the 44 minute mark. The goal put St. Joe’s on the board trailing 2-1. Peters’ second came late in the game to give the Hawks five points and deliver her fifth goal of the season.
Willocks also contributed two goals on the day. Her first tied the game up at two, all around the 50 minute mark. It was assisted by Maguire and provided Willocks with her 12th goal of the season. Her second came minutes later, this time assisted by sophomore Pepa Serrano, and brought her tally up to 13 goals.
Maguire’s goal came at the 61 minute mark and gave the Hawks a two point lead. This notched her 13th goal of the season. Maguire was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week on Oct. 23.
The Hawks took on Northeastern University just two days later, on Oct. 22. St. Joe’s beat Northeastern 4-3 behind two goals from Maguire, one from Willocks and the game-winner from Peters.
These games bring the Hawks to a record of 15-3 overall and 6-1 in the A-10.
“We want to play with character,”Farquhar said of her expectations for the remainder of the season. “It doesn’t matter whether we win or lose. It’s about the process. We’re excited for our senior game coming up next weekend.”
St. Joe’s comes back to Ellen Ryan Field for a matchup against Davidson University and senior day on Oct. 28. They are also preparing for the 2017 A-10 Semifinals in Amherst, Mass. on Nov. 3.
