EASTON, Mass. (October 26, 2024) – Things started well on Friday afternoon for the Sacred Heart University field hockey team, as Ines Braithwaite (Oxford, England) opened the scoring in a must-win game on the road in the 17^th minute. However, Stonehill scored once on either side of halftime, including a game-winner from Roos van Zwol in the 33^rd minute, to come away 2-1 winners in Northeast Conference play.
 
With the loss, SHU (5-11, 2-5 NEC) has been eliminated from postseason contention. Stonehill (6-10, 3-3 NEC) remains alive with two games still to play.
 
The Pioneers have struggled to score in the run of play of late, but found one early in the second quarter on Friday to jump out to a lead with their season on the line. Blaire Sparks (Medford, N.J.) worked her way through the defense down the left side of the midfield, until she arrived at the edge of the circle. From there, she played the ball ahead to Braithwaite, five yards in front of the left post. All in one motion, Braithwaite received the pass and brushed it into the cage for her third goal of the year, tying for the team lead.
 
SHU nearly held the lead into the intermission, but Stonehill leveled the score with just 19 seconds to play in the second quarter. Emma McGrory had the finish out front on her fourth of the season.
 
The Skyhawks then took the lead on the other side of halftime, via a penalty stroke. It was van Zwol who took the stroke and put it home for her third of the season, in the 33^rd minute.
 
Samantha Maresca (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) finished with three saves against five shots and suffered the loss (3-11) in front of the SHU cage. Shannon Conte (5-10) stopped five of six in the victory for Stonehill.
 
SHU has a non-conference game on the schedule at Quinnipiac on Sunday afternoon. Game time is noon in Hamden, Conn.