SPRINGFIELD, Mass. The American International College field hockey team rallied twice, but Saint Michael's fourth goal was enough to down the pesky Yellow Jackets in Northeast-10 action Tuesday night at Abdow Field, 4-3.
With the loss AIC falls to 3-14 overall and 2-10 in NE-10 play, while with the win St. Mike's improves to 8-9 and 4-7 in the league.
The Yellow Jackets got off to a slow start, allowing two Purple Knight goals within two minutes of each other in the 12th and 14th minutes.
In a two goal hole, senior Erica McLean (Branford, Conn.) snuck one through a bunch of Saint Michael's defenders from the left side across the cage to the back right corner, cutting the deficit in half in the 26th minute.
AIC sophomore Liv Magni (Sweet Valley, Pa.) drew a penalty corner to be taken by senior Kaylin Harbin (Stroudsburg, Pa.) and the veteran delivered, beating Knight goalkeeper Abigail Bowie to knot the score at two apiece. The penalty stroke made was the sixth of Harbin's career, a new program record.
The Jackets went into the intermission with new life, but 1:16 out of the break St. Mike's broke the tie with a goal off a corner to retake the lead, 3-2.
Within five minutes, junior Emma Heroth (Johnstown, N.Y.) made a sweeping move to McLean in the middle of the cage who redirected the service into the boards to knot the score once more.
The Purple Knights found answer with Carolyn Avery in the 50th minute, her second of the day.
Looking to add an insurance goal with just over 12 minutes remaining, St. Mike's had a two-on-one breakaway following an AIC corner, but freshman goalie Taylor Ross (Stroudsburg, Pa.) came out and made a kick save to keep the Knights from adding to their lead.
American International pelted the Purple Knights with shots in the second half, but Abigail Bowie turned away eight Jacket blasts to keep her team up and held on for the win. AIC outshot St. Mike's 16-12 and 15-9 on target in the losing effort.
The Yellow Jackets wrap up their 2015 slate Saturday against Mercy in non-conference action. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. with a pregame ceremony to honor the seniors in the final game of their collegiate careers.
