Ravens back in action Tuesday at Merrimack

Box Score

EASTON, Mass. (September 5, 2009) – Senior midfielder Jackie Ladino scored three goals and added an assist on Saturday afternoon to lead No. 8 nationally ranked Stonehill to a 6-0 victory over the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team in non-conference play at W.B. Mason Stadium. Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Baxter (Cumberland, R.I.) made four saves in defeat for Franklin Pierce.

With the win, Stonehill improves to 2-2 (0-0 Northeast-10), while Franklin Pierce falls to 1-2 (0-0 Northeast-10) with the loss.

Stonehill opened the scoring just 3:06 into the contest when Ladino sent the ball to the front of the cage from the right side. Senior forward Claire Hourihan was able to get her stick to it and knock it into the cage to give the Skyhawks a 1-0 lead. Stonehill would then make it 2-0 with just 1:25 remaining in the half when Ladino took the ball down the right side by herself and beat Baxter from seven yards out.

Stonehill controlled the first half to the tune of a 7-2 shots advantage.

The Skyhawks would put the game away with four goals in the second half to create the 6-0 final. Just over 13 minutes into the frame, Ladino struck for her second of the game on a low-angle shot from the right side. A little over eight minutes later, freshman forward Alexandra Shea sent the ball into the circle from the right side and junior midfielder Michaela Deasy corralled the pass and found the back of the cage to push the Stonehill lead to 4-0.

With just under 10 minutes to play in the game, junior back Courtney Foley picked up her second goal of the season at the left post off of assists from sophomore midfielder Laura Menke and senior midfielder Stephanie Kott. Finally, Ladino capped the scoring with 2:52 remaining in the game, as she took a feed from Foley on the left side and put it into the cage to complete the hat trick.

Stonehill outshot Franklin Pierce 6-1 in the second half and held a 13-3 advantage for the game. The Skyhawks attempted 11 penalty corners to one for Franklin Pierce.

Junior goalkeeper Courtney Osier stopped both shots sent her way to post her first shutout of the season and earn the win (2-2) in front of the cage for Stonehill. Baxter made four saves against 10 shots and took the loss (1-1) between the pipes for Franklin Pierce.

The Ravens return to the field on Tuesday, Sept. 8, when they travel to Merrimack for their Northeast-10 Conference opener. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Warrior Field in North Andover, Mass. Franklin Pierce's next home game is Sept. 12 against Adelphi at 1 p.m. at Sodexo Field in Rindge, N.H.