Dillon Flanigan- Sports Editor
After a nail-biting road loss to the non-conference Molloy University Hawks team few days prior, the Owls bounced back defeating Saint Michael’s Purple Knights 15-7 in the season’s home and NE10 opener on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
“We had a hard loss on Saturday. We were just focused on ourselves. We did that. We came out strong, and we worked hard and played unselfish,” attacker Kirsten McIntire, a senior, said.
In this game, the offense started strong, scoring the first four goals. Attacker Alexandra Ruel, a graduate, fed McIntire for a man-up goal. McIntire would then assist midfielder Amelia Mansfield, a junior, to score. The last two goals were scored by attacker Allie Palmer, a sophomore, and midfielder Allie Welder, a freshman. The latter goal was on a free position shot.
Eight minutes into the game, the Purple Knights scored their first goal. 38 seconds later, the Owls responded with a goal from Ruel, assisted by attacker Savannah Feinberg, a freshman.
The goals continued into the second period in a back and forth scoring effort as the university took a 7-4 lead. However, Mansfield, Feinberg, McIntire and attacker Jordan Fischer, a junior, each scored a goal, securing a halftime lead of 11-4.
“We came out strong, and we just kept that momentum up. We really worked on being the first to ground balls and working in transition,” Ruel said.
The offense began to plateau, though attacker and midfielder Anna Meserve, a freshman, and McIntire each added a goal to extend their lead 13-4. Towards the end of the third period, the Purple Knights rejuvenated their offense, scoring two goals, making it 13-6.
“We are still working on some things, working out the kinks,” Head Coach Kevin Siedlecki said. “Our systems are designed for whoever is in the spot to get open to take the shot.”
The fourth period proved to be a defensive battle as midfielder Bailey McDermott, a sophomore, scored a goal via an assist by Reilly. That was quickly followed by a Purple Knight goal. With over seven minutes left, Welder sealed the win for the Owls with a free position shot.
“The win today meant a lot. We play another NE10 opponent on Saturday, and I think this really gives us extra energy going into that game too,” Ruel said. “I think it made us feel good to that win today, especially against an NE10 opponent.”
