POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE (video)

MEDFORD, Mass.—Second half goals from Becca Halter and Kayla Rose and a stifling defense has the Skidmore College field hockey team into the NCAA Division III quarterfinals after a 2-0 win over St. Joseph's College of Maine Saturday Tufts University's Ounjian Field.

The Thoroughbreds (16-5) will play the host Jumbos in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament tomorrow at Ounjian Field starting at 1 pm. The winner will move on to the national semi-finals. Tufts beat the University of New England 2-0.

St. Joseph's, who earned a 1-0 first-round victory at Montclair State University in New Jersey on Wednesday, finished their season at 14-7. The Monks were making their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Though there was plenty of action, the first half was played at a stalemate as neither team took a shot. St. Joseph's received the lone corner opportunity of the period with eight minutes to go until halftime, but the Skidmore defense broke up the play. The Monks had another good opportunity late in the half when freshman Libby Pomerleau received a pass right in front of the cage, but the Thoroughbred defense again closed quickly to prevent any danger.

Skidmore came out in the second half and controlled play. A back-hand shot by sophomore Gabby Hyman went just wide early on. As the pressure continued, the Thoroughbreds were awarded a penalty stroke when a St. Joseph's defender stopped a sure goal with her foot. Halter converted the attempt with 27:47 on the clock and Skidmore led 1-0.

The Thoroughbreds continued to create scoring chances, including two good opportunties in less than a minute by Rose. Skidmore would put the ball in the goal on a corner attempt later in the period, but it was waved off because the ball was over the backboard.

Rose would eventually get the insurance goal for Skidmore when she was wide open to receive a pass from junior Caroline Saros in front of the cage and scored with 5:38 on the second-half clock for a 2-0 lead.

Skidmore would hold St. Joseph's without a shot during the game to earn their seventh shutout. The winners had nine shots, all in the second half. St. Joseph's Megan Baker made four saves in goal.

The Thoroughbreds will be attempting to reach their fourth national semi-final tomorrow.