Smith Sisters Sink Salem State

KEENE, New Hampshire -- Sami Smith netted a hat-trick and sister Casi Smith scored her first career goal as the Keene State College field hockey team picked up a 5-2 win over Salem State University on a rainy Tuesday night at Owl Athletic Complex.

KSC maintains its unbeaten record in the Little East Conference at 4-0, with a 6-4 overall mark.  The Vikings fall to 2-7, and 0-4 in LEC competition.

The Owls, who outshot Salem State 28-5, took the lead in the 12th minute on a nifty give-and-go between Kayla Renaud and Sami Smith before Smith finished past SSU goalie Carolyn Woodin.  Three minutes later, the lead was doubled as Haylie Dolan set up Sami Smith for her second of the game.

Renaud got her second assist of the game when setting up Erica Stauffer to make it 3-0 in the 21st minute, and Casi Smith deflected in Stauffer's shot with three minutes left before halftime for a 4-0 lead.

The Vikings pulled back into the game in the second half, as Natalie Bourne scored two minutes after the interval and Courtney Smith slid in to score her second of the year in the 42nd minute to cut the deficit in half.

KSC made sure of the win and Sami Smith made sure of her hat-trick with a goal with three minutes to go.

Meaghan Dwyer and Gwendolyn Thayer each played a half in the cage for KSC and did not make a save.  Woodin made 11 stops for Salem State.

KSC hosts Westfield State in LEC action on Saturday at 3 p.m.  Salem State hosts Framingham State on Saturday at 12 p.m.