Press Release

PURPLE KNIGHTS LOSE LEAD, FALL TO SAINT ANSELM IN OT, 8-7 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        FOR MORE INFORMATION March 31, 2004                                                                           Contact: Seth Cole Courtesy Saint Anselm Sports Information                                     Phone: (802) 654-2537 MANCHESTER, N.H. — Mike Smith (Beverly, Mass./ Beverly) stole the ball from Saint Michael’s goalie as he tried to clear it and netted the game winner 1:49 into overtime, giving the Hawks an 8-7 victory in Northeast-10 Conference action on Wednesday at Melucci Field.  The hosts also claimed the inaugural Saint’s Cup, which will be awarded to the winner of each game in this series. The Purple Knights (1-3, 1-1 NE-10) broke a 3-3 halftime tie with four goals in a third quarter in which they dominated play.  The visitors out-shot Saint Anselm (2-3, 1-1 NE-10) 8-1 in the period and got goals from four different players.  Eric Libby (Cohasset, Mass.) tallied the last marker, his third of the game, and it appeared Saint Michael’s would coast to victory. The Hawks had other ideas, however.  Tim Armstrong (Winchester, Mass./ Winchester) started Saint Anselm down the comeback trail just 1:17 into the fourth quarter off a pass from Cliff Ambrose (Beverly, Mass./ Bridgeton Academy).  Six minutes later, Ambrose erupted for two goals in 30 seconds to pull the Hawks within one at 7-6.  Armstrong then netted the equalizer with just over two minutes to play. Once into the extra session, Saint Anselm won the face-off and called a quick timeout.  After controlling the ball for over a minute-and-a-half, Smith dropped it in the mud behind the net.  The Purple Knights picked it up and passed it to the goalie, but Smith came around the left side of the goal, stole it from the netminder and put it in for the game winner. Ambrose, Armstrong and Kevin Allwarden (Amherst, N.H./ Souhegan) all netted two goals for the winners.  Ambrose added an assist and Kyle Carson (Henniker, N.H./ John Stark) dished out three helpers. Saint Michael’s countered with three goals by Libby and two from Brady Boyle (South Dennis, Mass./ Kimball Union). Sophomore goalie Alex Gostanian (Andover, Mass./ Andover) had a strong day between the pipes, stopping 11 of 18 shots to pick up his second win of the season. The Hawks will return to action on Sunday when they travel to Springfield, Mass., to face American International.  Game time is 1:00 p.m.        Saint Michael's plays it first game on campus this season on Saturday at 11 a.m. against league-rival Pace. ###PURPLEKNIGHTS###

For more information please contact the SMC Sports Information Office at (802) 654-2537
Last Revised: October 25, 2002