NORTON, Mass. -- Three different players scored to give the Wheaton College (Mass.) field hockey team a 3-1 victory over visiting Western New England University this afternoon in the season opener for both schools on Nordin Field in Norton, Mass. on the Wheaton campus.
The Lyons improve to 1-0 following their first season-opening win since a 5-2 triumph over Roger Williams University on September 2, 2015 in Norton, while the Golden Bears dip to 0-1.
Western New England boasted a significant shot advantage (21-11), including a dominant 11-1 margin in the second quarter. Wheaton closed the gap to 13-9 in shots on goal. The Golden Bears owned a 7-3 margin in penalty corners.
The Lyons received a pair of markers from first-time goal-scorers to take a 2-0 lead.
Senior forward Delia Knox (Cumberland, Maine) carried the ball down the right side into the visitor's defensive zone, before sending a centering cross to sophomore defender Hannah Fortin (South Dartmouth, Mass.) in the left slot. The second year player slid in front of the WNEU defender to flip a one-timer past the keeper for her first collegiate goal just 1:58 into the match for a 1-0 Wheaton edge.
The Lyons doubled their lead with another score, coming on a penalty corner to take a 2-0 margin with 3:45 to go in the second quarter. Junior forward Riley Levrault (Lakeville, Mass.) sent the insert pass to senior midfielder Lydia Gaudreau (Gorham, Maine), who left a scissor-cross from the top of the arc to sophomore midfielder Maria Worden (Burlington, Vt.). Worden lifted a low shot from just inside the arc that found the back of the cage for her first career goal.
Wheaton carried a 2-0 advantage into halftime.
Western New England got a goal back just 2:31 into the third quarter to cut the deficit in half at 2-1. Junior forward Mackenna Cooke (Old Saybrooke, Conn.) connected with an unassisted goal to put the visitors on the board with 12:29 showing on the third quarter clock.
The Lyons received an insurance goal from sophomore forward Ally Slicer (Waterford, Maine), who converted a penalty stroke into the top left corner with just 1:57 left in the third quarter to restore Wheaton's two-goal advantage.
Sophomore keeper Grace Ferguson (Williston, Vt.) turned back 11 shots in her first collegiate start for the Lyons, while junior defender Abby Miller (Andover, Mass.) assisted the cause with a defensive save. Junior goalie Ella Henry (Wilbraham, Mass.) made five saves for the Golden Bears combined with a defensive stop by first year defender Gemma Kennedy (Skowhegan, Maine).
Wheaton returns to play on Tuesday, September 3 when it hosts Worcester State University on Nordin Field at 7:00 p.m., while Western New England hosts Western Connecticut State University on September 4 at 7:00 p.m.
