MEDFORD - Senior co-captains Becca Halter and Kayla Rose scored goals as the Skidmore College Field Hockey team advanced in the NCAA Tournament with a 2-0 victory over Saint Joseph's College (Maine) in the second round at Tufts University's Ounjian Field Saturday afternoon.
The Thoroughbreds (16-5) will play the host Jumbos in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament tomorrow at Ounjian Field starting at 1 pm. The winner will move on to the national semi-finals.
Saint Joseph's, who earned a 1-0 first-round victory at Monclair State University in New Jersey on Wednesday, finished their season at 14-7. The Monks were making their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Though there was plenty of action, the first half was played at a stalemate as neither team took a shot. Saint Joseph's received the lone corner opportunity of the period with eight minutes to go until halftime, but the Skidmore defense broke up the play. The Monks had another good opportunity late in the half when freshman Libby Pomerleau received a pass right in front of the cage, but the Thoroughbred defense again closed quickly to prevent any danger.
Skidmore came out in the second half and controlled play. A backhand shot by sophomore Gabby Hyman went just wide early on. As the pressure continued, the Thoroughbreds were awarded a penalty stroke when a Saint Joseph's defender stopped a sure goal with her foot. Halter converted the attempt with 27:47 on the clock and Skidmore led 1-0.
The Thoroughbreds continued to create scoring chances, including two good opportunities in less than a minute by Rose. Skidmore put the ball in the goal on a corner attempt later in the period, but it was waved off because the ball was over the backboard.
Rose eventually netted the insurance goal for Skidmore when she was wide open to receive a pass from junior Caroline Saros in front of the cage and scored with 5:38 on the second-half clock for a 2-0 lead.
Skidmore held Saint Joseph's without a shot during the game to earn their seventh shutout. The winners had nine shots, all in the second half. Saint Joseph's Megan Baker made four saves in goal.
The Thoroughbreds will be attempting to reach their fourth national semi-final tomorrow.
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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.
