Garden City, N.Y. - Sparked by a goal from freshman forward Giana McKeough, the No. 9 Adelphi University field hockey team knocked off No. 8 Southern New Hampshire University, 2-0, in a Northeast-10 Conference match-up Saturday afternoon at Motamed Field.

It was the second-straight shutout for the Panthers, who won their fourth game in a row and improved to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in NE10 play -- the best start in head coach Mary Moore's tenure.

McKeough opened the scoring for AU in the ninth minute, notching her first career goal off of an assist from Kaylee Deleva to give the hosts the early lead.

Both nationally-ranked teams had their opportunities in the second quarter, but Adelphi took a 1-0 advantage into halftime.

The second half saw more offensive pressure from the Brown and Gold, as the Panthers struck for a key insurance goal just 3:20 in.

It was the duo of McKeough and Deleva that converted again. This time, McKeough assisted on a Deleva tally in the 34th minute.

Adelphi's defense was stout throughout the third frame, holding the Penmen without a shot for the entirety of the quarter.

The back line kept up its intensity in the final 15 minutes of regulation, marked by Jackie Brown's first defensive save as a Panther in the 57th minute to secure the shutout. 

Adelphi outshot SNHU in the contest, 16-10. That included a 6-2 edge in shots on goal. Alexandra Kanapes recorded one save in goal for her first career shutout. She owns a 3-0 record in four starts this year for the Panthers.

Adelphi is back in action Tuesday (Oct. 1), when they battle Pace University in an NE10 showdown at 4 p.m. in Pleasantville.