Nov. 7, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Sophomore forward Katie Kelly scored all three goals as top-seeded Massachusetts handed the Saint Joseph's field hockey team a 3-0 loss in the Atlantic 10 semifinals on Friday afternoon at Temple's Geasey Field. The loss ends the 2008 season for Saint Joseph's.

Massachusetts (15-4) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, as Kelly took a feed from Jaime Bourazeris just under two minutes into the game to put the Minutewomen in front. Kelly doubled the lead about five minutes later on an assist from Cher King.

Kelly notched the natural hat trick at the 11:40 mark, redirecting a shot by Jill Powers into the cage.

Saint Joseph's (11-9) looked to get back into the contest late in the half as senior Laura Hackenberger blasted a shot off a penalty corner opportunity past Massachusetts keeper and Atlantic 10 Co-Rookie of the Year Alesha Widdall, but the goal was disallowed because of a foul call.

Despite the early barrage, the SJU defense got stronger as the game wore on. After the Minutewomen had 11 shots on goal in the first half, UM was held to just two in the second stanza. Leading the defense was redshirt freshman goalkeeper Kelly Swanick, who made a career-high 10 saves, including eight in the first half.

The Hawks finish the season 11-9, reaching double-digits in victories for the fifth consecutive season.