MANCHESTER, N.H. – For the first time in school history, Saint Anselm College is the Northeast-10 Conference champion in field hockey, defeating local rival Southern New Hampshire University, 2-0, on Sunday.
The Hawks have now allowed a grand total of zero goals in their 19 victories this season. Even though the Hawks were outshot overall (10-7), they gave up just three shots on goal to the Penmen in this contest and have allowed just 25 shots on net total in their 17 conference games this season.
Thus, when senior Michelle Lemelin (Chelsea, Maine) took the game’s first goal in the ninth minute, SNHU found themselves with a tough hill to climb.
Junior Ericka Meissner (Falmouth, Mass.) added an insurance goal in the second quarter.
With the win, Saint Anselm gains two points in the Queen City Cup race, with SNHU now holding an 11-7 lead.
Lemelin joined seniors Kaeligh Lord (Keene, N.H.) and Mary Nee (Canton, Mass.) on the All-Championship Team for Saint Anselm.
Junior Hélène Servais (Brussels, Belgium) and senior Laura van der Doorn (Beverwijk, The Netherlands) were named to the All-Championship Team for SNHU
Both teams now head to the NCAA Division II Tournament, with SNHU’s appearance marking the first time they’ve entered the tournament in school history.
SNHU (17-4) hosts the Pennsylvania-based Kurtztown University (14-6) in the first round on Saturday, Nov. 16 (1 p.m.)
Saint Anselm (19-2) will have a bye and will face either East Stroudsburg (18-2) or conference rival Assumption (16-4).