BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Three third-quarter goals by freshman Kaitlyn Olton helped the Long Island University field hockey team overcome a two-goal halftime deficit in non-conference action against Towson University on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium.
 
After one goal during her first four collegiate games, Olton netted the first hat trick of her career to help the Sharks earn the victory in their home opener. The Sharks held a 10-6 advantage in shot attempts for the day, while the Tigers held a 11-8 edge in penalty corners. Junior Rachel Vellis needed just two saves to earn the win in goal for LIU.
 
Following a scoreless first quarter, Towson took control with two goals during the second frame. Mackenzie Tillman deflected in a pass from Samantha Aljets during the 22nd minute of action and Aljets got on the score sheet a second time just two minutes later when she found the back of the cage on a shot from the top of the arc, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead at the half.
 
The Sharks changed the momentum early in the second half, however. Olton buried her first goal of the game just 33 seconds into the third quarter on a bouncing pass across the goal mouth by freshman Felicia King. Midway through the quarter, junior Sammy Bell stole a pass attempt in the offensive end of the field and found Olton with a pass into the center of the arc and the freshman buried a shot inside the left post to level the scoring at 2-2.
 
The run continued during the 43rd minute of play when Olton completed the hat trick on a penalty corner when senior Taylor Brodsky flicked a waist-high pass in front of the cage that Olton deflected past the Tiger goalkeeper for her third tally of the quarter, giving LIU the lead at the final break. The Sharks kept the Tigers in check over the final 15 minutes to earn their first win of the season.
 
LIU returns to action on Friday, Sept. 27 when it travels to Loretto, Pa. to take on Saint Francis University beginning at 3:00 p.m.