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Saint Anselm Claims First-Ever NE10 Field Hockey Championship
MANCHESTER, N.H. - For the first time in program history, the Saint Anselm College field hockey claimed victory in the Northeast-10 Conference Championship final – the Hawks recorded a 2-0 shutout victory over Southern New Hampshire University on Sunday at Grappone Stadium.
The Hawks have conceded only one goal all season to a Northeast-10 member institution, holding conference foes to only 25 shots on net across 17 games. Saint Anselm, improves to 19-2 overall with shutouts in each of those victories while Southern New Hampshire falls to 17-4.
Senior Kaeleigh Lord was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player and picked up a selection to the All-Championship Team. She was joined on the squad by Hawks seniors Mary Nee and Michelle Lemelin.
The Penmen came out of the gate strong, creating a solid offensive chance only 71 seconds into regulation time. Southern New Hampshire got behind the Hawks defense and slid a left-to-right cross toward Emily Campbell, but the Third Team All-Conference pick for the Penmen could not get a quality shot off and the ball rolled wide of the net.
In the game's ninth minute, Lemelin put the Hawks ahead for good. With the ball on its way out of the zone, junior Kendall Clifford threw a stick down to tip the ball across to Lord. The senior sent the ball over to sophomore Carly LaCasse who one-touched the ball toward the goal mouth for Lemelin to send home.
Junior Ericka Meissner scored the Hawks second goal of the game with under a minute left in first half play. Carrying the ball parallel to the goal line, Meissner crossed a ball in front where it kicked off the stick of a Penmen defender and into the back of the net. Sophomore Sarah Bagley picked up an assist on the play.
Hawks backstop Julia Hand, the NE10 Goalkeeper of the Year, made three saves to preserve the shutout. Melanie Rennie drew the loss for Southern New Hampshire, conceding two goals on five shots on net.
Slotted first and third, respectively, in the official East Region rankings, Saint Anselm and Southern New Hampshire will tune in to NCAA.com at 3 p.m. on Monday to learn their next opponent via the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Selection Show. There is not an automatic qualifier for Division II field hockey.
Elite 24 Award:
Jackie Gaumer, Saint Anselm
All-Championship Team
Sam Tepper, Assumption
Lauren Cooper, Saint Thomas Aquinas
Laura van der Doorn, Southern N.H.
Helene Servais, Southern, N.H.
Michelle Lemelin, Saint Anselm
Kaeleigh Lord, Saint Anselm*
Mary Nee, Saint Anselm
*Most Outstanding Player
Your @SaintAnselm Hawks - the 2019 #NE10EMBRACE Champions!#HawksSoarHigher @STAHawksFH pic.twitter.com/kMmXc3eXsn
— Saint Anselm Hawks (@STAHawks) November 10, 2019
-Recap provided by Saint Anselm athletic communciations
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.