Springfield, Mass. — Sept. 5, 2012 — Kalin Billert scored three times to lead her Keene State field hockey team to a 3-1 victory over Springfield College tonight at warm and muggy Amos Alonzo Stagg Field. It was SC’s first loss of the season.

It was a fairly even contest until the Owls scored twice in lightning-quick fashion midway through the first half.

Billert, a senior forward from Centre Conway, N.H., found the back of the net with 17:07 left in the first stanza. The goal was unassisted.

Just 28 seconds later, Billert struck again, this time assisted by sophomore forward Marisa Lemoine (Berlin, N.H.). That goal came with 16:39 left in the half. It was 2-0, Owls at the intermission.

Whatever chance the Pride had was quickly diminished at the start of the second period. Billert scored just two minutes and eight seconds in to tally her hat trick. The goal was unassisted. For Billert, it was her sixth goal in two games, and her second straight hat trick.

Springfield certainly had its chances throughout the contest, and finally scored with 14:29 left in the game. Junior defender MK Murray (Killingworth, Conn.) scored the unassisted goal.

But that is how it ended.

Keene State upped its record to 2-0, while Springfield fell to 2-1 on the season.

For Keene State, Caitlin Davino-Draper (Hanover, Mass.) recorded six saves in goal. For SC, freshman Timarie Villa (Mashpee, Mass.) also had six saves.

Springfield had the edge in penalty corners, 18-11. SC also had the edge in shots, 18-10.

The Pride will continue its season-opening six-game homestand when it hosts Connecticut College a week from tonight (Sept. 12) at 7:00 pm.