MANCHESTER, New Hampshire - The American International College field hockey team made a strong second-half push, but ultimately fell 2-1 to No. 9 Saint Anselm College, the defending NCAA Division II National Champion, in Northeast 10 Conference play on Wednesday, October 8.

AIC is now 2-9 overall and 1-5 in the NE10.

The Hawks took control early, outshooting AIC 17-0 in the first half. They scored in the first quarter on a penalty corner, as Meghan Smith inserted to Megan Carey, who returned the ball to who it came from for the tally at 7:24, and added another in the second, with Bella DiFiore firing home a shot at 9:16 that was set up by Marissa Politano.

Rather than folding under the relentless attack, the Yellow Jackets buckled down in the second half, limiting corners and chances against. Late in the third, the team drew its first corner of the night, and found paydirt. Grace Boisvert's insert went to the left side for a direct shot by Fenna Voll, and the junior's blast hit the backboard of the net at 14:51.8 for her team-best fifth of the year.

Unfortunately for the Yellow Jackets, they were unable to replicate the offensive output in the final frame, as the Hawks held on for the 2-1 final.

Frederique den Hartog was her usual strong self in net, turning back 15 shots. She has set a new career high for saves in a season with 143, and has passed Taylor Wildes '22, '23M for seventh on AIC's all-time saves list with 283 for her career. 

The Yellow Jackets return home for an NE10 tilt with Southern New Hampshire University on Saturday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m.