AIC YELLOW JACKETS (10-7, 6-5 NE-10)
vs.
SAINT MICHAEL'S PURPLE KNIGHTS(4-12, 1-9NE-10)



Wednesday, October 26, 3:00 p.m.
Duffy Field, 1 Winooski Park, Colchester, Vt.

Live Stats|AIC Roster| STMRoster

LEADERS:

AIC:
Goals:Taylor Ruscillo 6,Emma Heroth 4,Two tied with 2
Assists:Paris McGuckin 3, Three tied with 2
Points:Taylor Ruscillo 14, Emma Heroth 8, Two tied with6
Defensive Saves:Chelsea Davis 7, Anna King 1, Katie Lombardozzi 1
Goalkeepers:
Taylor Ross: 16GP, 16GS, 9-7, 1.49 GAA, .752 SV%, 4 ShO
Chelsea Lombardo: 2 GP, 1 GS, 1-0, 0.71 GAA, .857 SV%, 1 ShO

SAINT MICHAEL'S:
Goals:Abby Dusha 5, Jackie Matthews 4, Carolyn Avery 3
Assists: Carolyn Avery 3, Maddy Dobecki 3, Abby Dusha 2
Points:Abby Dusha 12, Carolyn Avery 9, Jackie Matthews 8
Defensive Saves:Claire Kondrotas 5, Monica Miles 2, Three tied with 1
Goalkeepers:
Abigail Bowie: 16 GP, 16 GS, 4-12, 2.09 GAA, .778 SV%, 3 ShO

The American International College field hockey team faces a must-win game as they battle Saint Michael's College in their regular season finale.

LAST TIME OUT: The Yellow Jackets suffered a 3-1 setback against the LIU Post Pioneers. Down a goal at the half, senior Taylor Ruscillo tipped in the game-tying tally in the fifty-ninth minute on a bid from sophomore Anna King. The Pioneers would net the winner shortly after, scoring in the sixty-fourth minute and adding an insurance goal in the last minute of play. In all, AIC managed to hold the Pioneers to just four shots on goal, but took just their one as the teams both played strong defense.

Saint Michael's fell behind early and absorbed a 3-0 loss against Assumption. Rookie Kristin McCarthy potted what proved to be the game winner just over three minutes into the game, while Meghan Sullivan and Alison Sheahan each tallied a goal and an assist for the Greyhounds. The Purple Knights were outshot 16-5 in the matchup, including a 12-3 shots-on-goal disparity.

LAST TIME THEY MET: The Purple Knights used a late-second half push to top the Yellow Jackets 1-0 in Springfield on September 7. AIC had opportunities to score in the early stages of both halves, but goalkeeper Abigail Bowie held off all six of the shots on target AIC managed. That set the stage for a rebound goal by Janelle Robinson in the fifty-eighth minute that proved to be the winning tally. Sophomore Taylor Ross made five saves in the setback.

PLAYOFF PUSH: AIC sits at 6-5 in the Northeast-10, in seventh place owing to losing the tiebreaker with Assumption. However, AIC can still get into the postseason with a win and a bit of help. The Yellow Jackets must defeat Saint Michael's to have a chance, and then need a loss by either Merrimack or Assumption in their final games; AIC owns the tiebreaker with the Warriors. Merrimack plays conference-leading Saint Anselm on Saturday at home, while the Greyhounds visit Bentley on Saturday morning. A win for AIC and a loss by either of these teams places the Jackets sixth, while a win and both others losing would mean AIC finishes fifth.

NEXT UP: Should AIC advance, the Northeast-10 Championship Tournament begins Tuesday, November 1. AIC would be on the road, potentially at LIU Post, Stonehill, or Adelphi, depending on what seed each team earns.