SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse College (0-1) field hockey team dropped its season opener to Southern New Hampshire (1-1) on Sunday afternoon at Spartan High Field. After a scoreless first half, the Penmen came out strong in the second, scoring all eight of their goals to secure the win.
MATCH INFORMATION
Score: Converse 0, SNHU 8
Records: Converse (0-1), SNHU (1-1)
Location: Vikings Field, Old Spartan High, Spartanburg, S.C.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Junior goalie Ciriaca Petitto collected 13 saves while playing all 60 minutes between the pipes.
- Freshman Kira Martinez registered the lone shot for the Valkyries.
- The Converse defense collected three saves.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
The first half was a stalemate as neither team could gain any ground offensively. Southern New Hampshire was able to put pressure on the Vals defense, but Petitto was stellar in goal, knocking away every opportunity the Penmen threw at her.
SNHU looked poised to finally break through when Laura van der Doorn took a pass across the middle of the box, but her shot was denied by a sprawling Petitto.
Second Half
After a scoreless first half, Southern New Hampshire wasted no time breaking the tie, scoring two goals in the initial two minutes of the second half to push ahead. That lead ballooned to 3-0 after a goal from Cameron Whelan, leading into the final 15 minutes of action.
Southern New Hampshire put up five goals in the final period, including one at the horn to complete the 8-0 over the Valkyries.
UP NEXT
The Valkyries return to action on Tuesday, September 10 as they travel to nearby Gaffney, S.C. to face Limestone in their South Atlantic Conference Carolinas opener. That match is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start.