Field Hockey Toppled by Conference Leader Keene State

Keene, N.H. – The Framingham State University field hockey team was defeated 5-0 this afternoon by conference leader Keene State College in Little East Conference (LEC) action.  Sami Smith netted a hat trick to keep the Owls undefeated in Little East Conference play Saturday. 

With the win, the Owls improve to 14-4 overall and 10-0 in LEC play while the loss drops Framingham State to 6-10, 2-8 LEC.

In addition to Smith's hat trick, all three Keene seniors registered a point in the match. Lauren Villanova finished with an assist, Melissa Habelow assisted on two goals and Marisa Lemoine added a goal and assist. 

KSC struck early, just 1:23 into the game when Smith finished off a pass from Villanova for the 1-0 lead. The Owls would have a tough time finding the back of the net for the remainder of the first half as impressive defense by FSU prevented Keene State from converting on 11 corner opportunities in the opening stanza. 

At the 40:14 mark, Smith gave her team a 2-0 advantage on Marisa Lemoine's assist. Mariah Barnett continued her successful freshman season when she notched her sixth goal of the year in the 56th minute. 

Smith completed her hat trick when she tipped in Habelow's shot from top of the circle and Lemoine rounded out the scoring for the Owls in the 68th minute off another Owls' corner.

KSC held a commanding 17-1 advantage in corners and outshot the Rams 28-3.

Meaghan Dwyer finished with two saves in 60 minutes of play, while teammate Kendra Lonergan entered for the remaining 10 minutes. Rams goalkeeper Rosemary Talbot recorded 12 saves in the loss. 

KSC faces their last non-conference opponent of the season Tuesday night when they travel to Smith College at 7 p.m. The Rams host Lasell College Wednesday in a game rescheduled from last week at 3 p.m.