MANCHESTER, N.H. American International College's offensive struggles continued as they were defeate, 2-0, in Northeast-10 field hockey action this afternoon from at Grappone Stadium.

AIC (3-11, 2-7 NE-10) had the first chance to score as junior Taylor Ruscillo (Carle Place, N.Y.) ripped a shot toward the cage, but it was turned aside by Hawk junior keeper Katherine Sears (Northboro, Mass.) to keep the game scoreless in the 15th minute.

Saint Anselm (10-3, 5-3 NE-10) then turned the field and gained possession in the scoring zone and senior Colleen Sears (Danvers, Mass.) found the back of the cage just inside the right post from the center of the circle for the 1-0 edge in the 21st minute.

Sears again had a strong bid early in the second half as she laced a shot on goal, however, Jacket freshman net-minder Taylor Ross (Stroudsburg, Pa.) got the pad down to keep it a one-goal game in the 37th minute.

Saint A's did push the lead to a pair a little later as sophomore Emma Kincaid (West Bridgewater, Mass.) received a great cross from the right post and was able to score on the left side for the 2-0 advantage in the 44th minute.

The Jackets nearly cut the deficit in half late in the game as in the 65th minute it was senior Erica McLean (Branford, Conn.) who received the ball at the top of the circle off a penalty corner and she made a nice move to get past a defender, but her shot was kicked aside by Sears preserving the shutout.

The Hawks controlled the second half as AIC managed just two shots as it was all Saint Anselm who played strong defense and possessed the ball until the final horn.

Ross made 10 saves in the loss to fall to 2-8 on the year while Sears stopped two shots in the victory to improve to 10-3.

The hosts outshot the visitors 17-7 (12-2 SOG) while also holding the 11-8 edge in penalty corners.

American International returns to action Wednesday as they host the Skyhawks of Stonehill College at 4 p.m. on the turf of Ronald J. Abdow Field.