American International College

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - Martina Pereyro scored the seventh hat trick in the history of the American International College field hockey team, but Bentley University hung on for a 4-3 Northeast 10 Conference win on Tuesday, October 6.

AIC is now 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the NE10.

Bentley scored the lone goal in the first, as Emily Stagnone put in a loose ball in front that deflected to her from Eveline Ronzoni on a penalty corner.

AIC tied the game early in the second. as Maite Solari cut into the right side of the circle from the wing, firing a pass across the goal mouth. Milagros Zanatelli tipped it to Pereyro on the left post, and the rookie popped the ball in for her first collegiate goal at 5:06 of the quarter.

Bentley took control from there, and a Madeline Krepelka strike barely three minutes later restored the lead, while a Layla Conway finish on a Lilly Cook pass gave the Falcons a two-goal edge with under two minutes left in the half.

However, a last-second goal gave AIC new life. A foul in the midfield in the final ten seconds of the period set up a free hit by Fiene Dik, and she slammed the ball toward the circle to try to induce a corner. Instead, she found Pereyro, who shoveled home her second of the game at 14:56, cutting AIC's halftime gap to 3-2.

Bentley persisted, and Cook potted a key insurance goal late in the third frame. 

AIC battled again, and cut the gap once more. This time it was Kylee Rinker feeding a through ball, and Pereyro finished her hat trick at 3:45 with a reverse chip into the low left corner of the net. 

Unfortunately for the Yellow Jackets, the team did not find a fourth goal; Bentley hung on for the 4-3 win.

Frederique den Hartog made three saves in the setback, with an Emma Fabi defensive save as well. 

AIC next heads to Southern New Hampshire on Saturday, October 10 at 3:00 p.m.