Field Hockey Edged by Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, 3-2, in GNAC Battle Saturday

STANDISH, Maine – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) field hockey team came up just short in a hard-fought Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup on Saturday, falling 3-2 on the road to Saint Joseph's College of Maine (SJC) at the SJC Athletics Complex. With the result, the Blue Jays dropped to 9-7 overall and 5-4 in GNAC play, while the Monks improved to 9-6 overall and 8-1 in the league. The loss moves USJ to 0-5 all-time against SJC.

After a scoreless opening quarter, the Blue Jays struck first at the 20:26 mark when senior midfielder Ariana Komonaj (Thomaston, Conn.) converted a penalty stroke to give USJ a 1-0 halftime lead. It marked her eighth goal of the season and second successful penalty stroke conversion of the year (2-for-4).

The Monks responded quickly after the break, as senior Maya Waryas tied the game just over 10 minutes into the third quarter when she finished a feed from Sadie Tirrell off a penalty corner to even the score at 1-1. Ten minutes later, Waryas struck again, netting her 18th goal of the season on an assist from Zoey Lailer to put Saint Joseph's ahead 2-1.

USJ drew even again in the fourth quarter when Komonaj notched her second goal of the day off a feed from senior forward Aurelia Barker (Thomaston, Conn.) at the 55:16 mark following a penalty corner. The Monks answered swiftly, however, capitalizing on a long through ball from senior Emilia Galimberti down the left side of the field. Freshman Myia Seehusen collected the pass and buried the decisive goal just over two minutes later, lifting Saint Joseph's to a 3-2 victory.

SJC held the advantage in shots (17-7), shots on goal (12-5), and penalty corners (19-3) in the conference win over the Blue Jays.

In goal, junior Kimberley McLaughlin earned the win for the Monks with three saves. Junior Jaci Felix-Hull (East Lyme, Conn.) kept the visitors within reach, making eight stops in a strong effort.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return home for their 2025 non-conference finale on Wednesday, Oct. 22, when they host crosstown foe University of Hartford at 6 p.m. at the USJ Field Hockey Field in West Hartford, Conn. The contest will serve as USJ's Senior Night.

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