GORHAM, Maine  – Emma Rutledge (Alfred, Maine/Massabesic) scored twice and the St. Joseph's College (Maine) Monks earned a 3-0 shut out win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference field hockey game Thursday night at Hannaford Field. 

With the win, St. Joseph's College improves to 10-1 overall. The Monks have won three straight.  Suffering its third consecutive loss, Southern Maine evens out at 4-4 on the season. 

Southern Maine controlled the opening minutes of the contest, recording the first four shots of the contest, but SJC'sKara Kelly (York, Maine) put the Monks ahead 1-0 in the 17th minute redirecting a centering pass from Libby Pomerleau (Limerick, Maine/Thornton Academy) to open the scoring. Rutledge scored the first of her two goals in the game in the 27th minute and SJC took a 2-0 lead into the break.

The Monks controlled possession for most of the second half, outshooting Southern Maine 9-1 in the half, but mustered just one goal for the 3-0 final.  Rutledge's second goal of the game came in the 48th minute, controlling the ball out of the air on a rebounded save. 

SJC had a 17-7 lead in shots and an 11-6 advantage in penalty corners. SJC's Megan Baker (Gorham, Maine) made three save to keep a clean sheet for the Monks and earn the shut out. Southern Maine sophomore McKenzie Cormier (Hiram, Maine/Sacopee Valley) made nine saves in 52:21, allowing three goals. Freshman Lindsay Pych (West Milford, N.J./Morristown-Beard) did not make a save in the final 17:39.  

Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (3:00 p.m.) traveling to Worcester State for a Little East Conference tilt. 

–cac–