EASTON, Mass. – The Southern New Hampshire University field hockey team dropped its Northeast-10 Conference opener on the road Saturday to Stonehill College, 11-0. The Penmen fall to 1-6 on the season, while the Skyhawks improve to 6-1.

Junior Cassandra Nickerson (Newton, N.H.) registered eight saves in the setback. The junior netminder turned aside five shots in the first half before picking up three more stops in the second.

The Skyhawks were led offensively junior Lauren Giordano (Watertown, Mass.), who tallied a pair of goals and two assists in the victory. Freshman Alexandria Sylvia (Brockton, Mass.), chipped in with two goals and an assist while classmate Hannah Gifford (Goffstown, N.H.) also found the back of the cage on two occasions. Sophomore Dana Dhami (Glastonbury, Conn.) and senior Elizabeth Genovese (Street, Md.) combined for the shutout in the Stonehill cage.

The Skyhawks jumped out to an 8-0 lead at halftime before adding the game's final three goals in the second stanza.

Southern New Hampshire returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 11 when it travels to Assumption College for a 3 p.m. showdown with the Greyhounds. Stonehill also resumes its 2014 schedule on Saturday, Oct. 11 when the Skyhawks host NE-10 foe Bentley University at noon. 

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