Oswald's hat trick powers UNE past Thomas

Michelle Oswald raised her team-leading goal total to 10 with three scores against Thomas on Thursday

Box Score

WATERVILLE, Maine -- Sophomore Michelle Oswald (Jay, Maine) recorded her second hat trick of the season as the University of New England defeated Thomas College, 4-0, in non-conference field hockey action Thursday afternoon.

Oswald's three-goal performance matches a school-single game record she shares with six other players. She now has 10 goals in seven matches.

The Nor'easters started the game with a flurry, scoring a pair of goals in the opening minute. Oswald scored 26 seconds in, then sophomore Brianna Tupper (Winthrop, Maine) found the cage at the one-minute mark. Tupper set-up the first goal and senior Taryn Flagg (Livermore Falls, Maine) the second.

Senior Anne Cowles (Franconia, N.H.) assisted Oswald five minutes before the half to give the Nor'easters a commanding 3-0 lead heading into intermission.

Oswald completed her hat trick with 5:20 remaining. First-year Krystal-Kalene Sleboda (Smithfield, R.I.) was credited with an assist.

Junior Ayla Nelson (Auburn, Mass.) was called upon to make just two saves in recording her second shutout of the season for the Nor'easters, who dominated Thomas in shots (34-4) and penalty corners (13-3).

Megan Denby registered 21 stops for Thomas (2-7)

UNE (5-2) travels to Springfield, Mass. on Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. start under the lights at Western New England College.


(edited Oct. 2, 2009 | 3:30 p.m.)