EASTON, Mass. – The Pace University field hockey team battled back from a 3-0 deficit on Saturday afternoon, but were unable to complete the comeback in a 4-3 defeat at No. 6 Stonehill. The loss moves the Blue and Gold to 13-3 this season, with a 7-3 mark inside the Northeast-10 Conference.

In a battle of nationally ranked foes, it was a pair of 3-0 runs that provided the main story line on Saturday. The Skyhawks jumped out a 3-0 lead courtesy of a trio of first-half goals, while Pace evened the score with a goal as time expired in the opening half and two more in the second.

The Setters were never able to find a lead, however, as a goal from Kacie Smith—her third of the day—with just 1:50 left in regulation proved to be the game-winner.

Pace's comeback included three different goal-scorers, while junior Samantha Gray (Greenlawn, NY/Harborfields) posted a pair of assists.

Sophomore Louisa Wegener (Hamburg, Germany/Wilhelm Gymnasium) notched her first goal of the season to put Pace on the board off a penalty corner after time expired in the first half. Gray helped initiate the tally, earning her first assist of the season.

Just a couple minutes later, junior Katrina Mikitish (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) cut the deficit to just one with her second goal of the season. Mikitish was able to gain control of a loose ball in front of the cage before finding the back of the net.

The Blue and Gold's equalizer was provided by freshman Lieke van Nieuwenhuizen (Utrecht, Netherlands/St. Bonifatius), who tipped in a pass from Gray at the 59:24 mark.

Prior to Saturday, the Setters hadn't allowed more than two goals in a single game all season. Senior goalie Lesly Sanchez Alvarez (Stamford, CT/Stamford), who leads the NE10 in both goals-against average and save percentage, finished the afternoon with five saves.

Up Next
The Setters begin their final two-game stretch of the regular season by hosting Southern Connecticut State on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m.