GORHAM, ME – Saint Joseph's College (4-2) defeated Southern Maine (3-6), 4-1, in a non-conference field hockey contest Thursday afternoon. Melanie Allen '13 (Jackson, NH) posted the first multiple-goal effort of her career in the Monks' triumph.

For St. Joe's, the win over the Huskies is the first in program history. Prior to today's three-goal triumph, The Monks had dropped 14 straight games against their in-state rival.

The team's first-ever win over USM should not overshadow the fact that SJC senior forward Kayla Nowell (Bridgton, ME) became the Monks' all-time leading goal scorer in the victory. With her third goal of the year at the 11:07 mark of the first half, Nowell surpassed Julia Ostrowski '10 as the St. Joe's career goals leader with 47 tallies in 64 contests.

Allen provided the Monks with a 1-0 lead just 10 minutes into the game when she scored off Nowell pass at the 9:43 mark. Nowell lifted the visitors to a 2-0 cushion less than two minutes later with her historic marker off an assist from senior midfielder Courtney Rague (Old Orchard Beach, ME). 

Southern Maine junior back Bethany Bougie (Sanford, ME) notched her first goal of the season in the 13th minute to bring her team back within a goal. 

The 2-1 cushion stood until knocked in her second goal of the game in the 38th minute.  Monks junior forward Sarah Bartell (Exeter, NH) tallied a 65th-minute marker to cap the game scoring.

Junior goalkeeper Meaghan Johnson (Portland, ME/Cheverus) made four saves for the Royal Blue to earn the win, while USM freshman netminder Kayla Kennedy (Windham, ME) allowed three goals and made two saves in 42:39 of playing time.  Senior goalkeeper Rachel Lolley (Gorham, ME) allowed one tally and recorded a pair of saves over the final 27:21 of the contest.

St. Joe's will travel to Bangor on Saturday to face-off against NAC rival Husson University in 4:00 PM start. USM hosts Eastern Connecticut State on Saturday at 12:00 PM.