DANBURY, Conn. – Powered by a pair of first quarter goals, the Western Connecticut State University field hockey team posted a 2-0 win over UMass Dartmouth in the Little East Conference opener for both teams on Saturday. The victory moves the Wolves to 4-2, while the Corsairs slip to 2-5 overall.
First quarter action saw both teams with early chances, including a shot by senior captain
Maggie Doherty that was saved at the line by defender Samantha Leonard. Despite three straight penalty corners for the visitors, it was the home team that made it on the board first as second after a penalty corner opportunity, the Wolves saw Sydney Chenoweth convert a pass from Reilly Schmidt for the 1-0 lead at 11:25.
Less than four minutes later, WestConn once again crashed the Corsairs zone. Reagan Schoen sent a shot in that was stopped at the line by UMass Dartmouth rookie
Sophia Bouffard, while Constance Conlan sent in a quick shot that was saved by junior goalie
Hannah Trombly. The visitors were unable to maintain that momentum as Miah Ruiz sent a shot in off a feed from Schoen for the 2-0 margin.
Second quarter action saw the Corsairs open with three straight penalty corners, but the visitors were unable to convert. Trombly was outstanding late in the frame, recording two saves late, while junior
Harley Hodge posted a defensive save to head into halftime.
After another scoreless quarter in the third, the Corsairs came out firing in the fourth as sophomore
Abby Perry sent as shot in on goal that was stopped by Kayla Hnasko. UMass Dartmouth was unable to solve Hnasko, who finished with one save for the win.
For the Corsairs, Trombly finished with 10 saves, while Bouffard posted three defensive saves and Hodge had one.
UMass Dartmouth is back in action on Friday, hosting Keene State on Cressy Field at 7pm in Little East action.
