Ackerman's Hat Trick Leads Field Hockey Past Mount Ida

Newton, Mass. – Freshman Meaghann Ackerman (Littleton, Mass.) tallied a a hat trick as the Framingham State University field hockey team defeated Mount Ida College 6-1 this afternoon in non-conference action at Alumni Field.

With the win, the Rams improve to 4-13 on the season, while the Mustangs finish the regular season 4-12.

Ackerman got the Rams on the board just under seven minutes into the contest when she converted on a shot from the top of the arc off a feed from sophomore Amie Souza (Taunton, Mass.).  Senior Cady Kelly (Canton, Mass.) knocked home a rebound off the post in the 18^th minute to extend the Rams lead to 2-0.

Lexi Minicucci put the hosts on the board just before the half with an unassisted marker.  Minicucci carried the ball into the circle and sent a shot between the keeper's legs that found the back of the cage for her 11^th of the season.

Kelly closed the scoring in the first half as she knocked home another rebound with just over 20 seconds remaining the frame for her 4^th of the season and the 3-1 advantage.

Ackerman would account for two of the Rams three goals in the second half as she found the back of the cage for her team leading 10th goal.  Freshman Bailey Donnelly (Framingham, Mass.) accounted for the Rams finally tally of the game.

Souza finished the game with a pair of assists for the Rams.

The Rams held a 28-9 edge in shots for the game taking 14 in each stanza and held an 11-2 lead in penalty corners.  Junior Alexandra Ricco (Agawam, Mass.) made three saves en route to the victory in net, while Emily McConnell made seven stops and was tagged with the loss.

The Rams close out the season on Saturday afternoon with a Little East Conference game at Keene State beginning at 2 p.m.  The Mustangs are back in action on Saturday in a GNAC quarterfinal at Anna Maria College beginning at 10 a.m.