Fairfield, Conn. - In the Robert Morris University field hockey team's 2008 Northeast Conference opener, Sacred Heart senior Carisa Eye scored a hat trick to lift the Pioneers past the Colonials, 3-1.

Eleven minutes into play, Sacred Heart was able to get on the board first when Eye tipped in her first goal off a shot by Whitney Russo. Just six minutes later, the Colonials would tie the game at one.

Senior Maddy Carroll (Birdsboro, Pa. / Twin Valley) took a shot from the top of the arc, allowing Jillian Howley (East Northport, N.Y. / Northport) to deflect the ball past Whitney Mills and into the cage for her first goal of the season.

Due to very wet field conditions, both teams struggled to take control offensively. However, at the 25 minute mark of the second period, Sacred Heart's Melissa Mazin found Eye in front of the goal to knock it past Colonial goalkeeper Stephanie Seeley (Louisville, Ky. / Ballard) push the Pioneers in front, 2-1.

With just 1:15 remaining in the game, Eye completed her hat trick when she took to advantage of a break away to net the Pioneer's third and final goal.

Seeley made two saves and faced six shots on goal. The Colonials took 10 shots and had six penalty corners.

On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the Colonials will travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes at 3:00 p.m. in a non-conference game.