Box Score

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Freshman Laura Dembofsky (Stamford, Conn.) netted two goals, as the Southern Connecticut State University field hockey team defeated Saint Anselm, 5-2 on Saturday afternoon at Jess Dow Field. The Owls collected their first win of the season, improving to 1-3, 1-0 in the Northeast-10 Conference, while the Hawks dropped to 0-2, 0-1 in the league.

The Owl's offense wasted very little time getting onto the scoreboard. Sophomore Brittany Barra (Goshen, Conn.) created the game's first goal with a perfect pass to a wide open Dembofsky. The freshman collected the ball and laced a shot from just inside the right side of the circle, beating the Hawks goalkeeper.

Just five minutes later, the Owls capitalized on a Saint Anselm penalty. Dembofsky lifted the penalty stroke to the upper right corner of the cage for a 2-0 lead.

After Kristina Katsikis cut the Owl lead in half, sophomore Ryan Morgan (Somers, Conn.) extended the lead back to two goals just three minutes later. In the 27th minute of action, freshman Laurie Cockerline (Lopatcong, N.J.) found Morgan in front of the goal mouth, who buried the shot for a 3-1 advantage. Southern would fight off the surging Hawk's offense and take a 3-1 lead into halftime.

In the second half, captain Ann Berry (Belfast, Maine) connected with Cockerline for her first goal of the game. Berry blasted a shot from 10-yards out for the fourth Owl goal of the afternoon.

Just four minutes later, KellyAnne McCafferty (Durham, N.H.) provided more insurance with her first goal of the season. The Owls surrendered one last goal, but held on for a 5-2 victory.

Junior Lauren Zarrella (Morris, Conn.) tallied eight saves in goal for the Owls, while Lindsey MacDonald made nine saves for the Hawks.

The Owls return to action on Sept. 8 when the team travels to UMass-Lowell to challenge the Riverhawks. Game time is set for 7 p.m.