MHS Alum Nets 2 Goals in First College Home Game

Submitted by Stuart Kaufmann, Keene State College

Sami Smith won’t soon forget her first home game for the Keene State College field hockey team.  The freshman forward from Merrimack scored two goals to lead KSC to a 3-1 non-conference victory over Castleton (Vt.) State  College at Owl Athletic Complex on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

“I just tried to come in and play my game.  I didn’t expect to get two goals,” said Smith, who already has three goals this season. “As a freshman it’s hard adjusting to playing with new players, but it’s getting better every game.”

Despite carrying the play in the early going, Keene State (2-0) had a tough time getting the ball past the Spartans’ defense.  Set up in front, senior Leddy Gallagher (Acton, Mass.) had her dive knocked away by Castleton junior goalie Jessica Galatioto (Queensbury, N.Y.).  Later in the half, Spartan senior back Shannon Burns (Wayne, N.J.) had a defensive save on a bid by KSC senior Mary Dematteo (Northford, Conn.)

Keene State’s persistence finally paid off with a goal on a corner play at the 9:05 mark of the half when Smith scored on her own rebound to give the Owls a 1-0 lead.

Castleton tied the game less than two minutes later.  Junior Kristy Pinkham (Brandon, Vt.) past ahead to senior Rachel Preusser (Craryville, N.Y.) who flicked the ball over KSC sophomore goalie Chloe Audesse (Goffstown, N.H.) to tie the score.

Galatioto kept the score tied when she made consecutive saves off of Gallagher minutes in to the second half.  But Gallagher wouldn’t be denied.  On the Owls’ first corner of the second half, she scored on a rebound to put Keene State up 2-1 at the 27:32 mark.

Smith got her second goal of the game at the 21:06 mark of the half on a bouncing shot that eluded Galatioto and found its way into the corner of the net.  “I reached across and slowly and surely it went in,” said Smith.

Keene State defense did the job the rest of the way with senior Katlyn Simula (Bridgewater, N.H.) doing a nice job clearing the ball in front of the Owls’ net.

Keene State outshot the Spartans 23-11 and had a slim 8-6 advantage in corner opportunities.  Audesse finished the game with three saves for the Owls while Galatioto turned aside 13 shots for Castleton (0-2).

Keene State is at New England College on Saturday (3 p.m.).