#7 Skidmore topples Saints, 8-0 in field hockey

The nationally-ranked No. 7 Skidmore University field hockey team dominated St. Lawrence on Saturday at Hall-Leet Stadium in Canton, NY, as the Thoroughbreds got a hat trick from Kelly Blackhurst and two goals from Annie Rosencrans en route to an 8-0 victory.

Skidmore improves to 13-1 on the season and remains unbeaten in Liberty League play (6-0), while St. Lawrence falls to 5-9 (2-4). The winner of tomorrow's game between St. Lawrence and Union will qualifty for the 2010 Liberty League Tournament, while the loser will not.

The Thoroughbreds wasted little time in jumping out to a 1-0 lead, as Blackhurst took a pass from Christine Kemp and beat St. Lawrence goalkeeper Nicole Matos a mere 50 seconds into regulation. Brittany O'Brien then followed at 6:53 with her fourth goal of the season, and Blackhurst made it 3-0 at 9:59 to give Skidmore control of the game.

Rosencrans' 12 goal of the year capped the first half scoring with the Thoroughbreds on top, 4-0. Katie Potter assisted on the goal, which came at 26:53.

Skidmore, which finished with a 27-3 advantage in shots and a 22-5 lead in penalty corners, continued the offensive attack in the second half. Blackhurst made it 5-0 at the 40:00 minute mark, while Lauren McCarthy's unassisted tally at 49:34 gave the visitors a 6-0 advantage. Blackhurst's third goal of the day and 17th of the season made it 7-0 at 55:02, while Rosencrans capped the game's scoring with 2:21 remaining for the 8-0 victory.

Matos made 12 saves in net for St. Lawrence in nearly 58:00 minutes of action, while sophomore Maureen McCoy chipped in four saves in relief. Skidmore netminder Liz Catinella stopped each of the two shots she faced in the game to preserve the shutout.

The Saints will look to earn a weekend split on "Senior Day," tomorrow, Sunday, October 24 against Union at Hall-Leet Stadium. The crucial game is scheduled to start at 1:00pm.