MERION STATION, Pa. – A pair of early goals staked the Hawks to a lead, and a fourth quarter tally sealed the deal as the 12th-ranked Saint Joseph's field hockey team defeated #20 Boston College, 3-1, on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Ellen Ryan Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• For the second time in three days, Saint Joseph's (3-2) took an early lead as Hailey Bitters tipped home a pass from Manu Ghigliotti just over six minutes into the game.

• Ghigliotti doubled the lead two and a half minutes later, converting a penalty corner on assists from Katy Benton and Anna Miller.

• Boston College (2-4) got one back a minute into the second quarter as Eva Kluskens found the cage.

• The Hawks would have chanes late in the half, but ultimately the teams would go into the break with SJU holding on to the one-goal lead.

• Both sides had their chances in the third, but it wasn't until two minutes into the fourth that Bitters struck again, this time scoring off a feed from Katelyn Cocco to double the advantage.

• The Eagles earned a late corner, but the Hawks weathered both the literal and figurative storm to emerge with the victory.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
• Robin Bleekemolen made three saves in the cage for the Hawks, while Carine Van Wiechen made seven for BC.

• The Hawks outshot the Eagles, 15-10, while BC earned six corners to four for SJU.

HAWK TALK
"I'm thrilled with the win today against Boston College," head coach Hannah Prince said.  "We had many players step up and make improvements from the previous weekends, and we are looking forward to opening up Atlantic 10 play this week."

UP NEXT
The Hawks head to the Old Dominion State for a pair of matchups; on Friday, SJU visits VCU to open conference play before the Hawks take on ninth-ranked Virginia on Sunday.