NORTON, Mass. -- Junior forward Riley Levrault (Lakeville, Mass.) scored to give the Wheaton College (Mass.) field hockey team all the offense it needed in a 1-0 victory over visiting Worcester State University this evening on Nordin Field in Norton, Mass. on the campus of Wheaton.

The Lyons improve to 2-0 on the season for their best start to open a season since they won their first five contests in 2015. The Lancers fall to 0-2.

Wheaton held an 8-4 advantage in shots through three quarters, but out-shot Worcester State, 9-2, in the fourth quarter to finish the match with a 17-6 margin. The Lyons also owned a 7-3 differential in penalty corners.

Wheaton scored the only marker of the game just 57 seconds into the third quarter after a scoreless first half. Levrault caused a turnover with a steal just over midfield and carried the ball into the circle where she created a one-on-one situation with the Lancer keeper and beat the netminder on the breakaway for her first marker of the season. 

The score stood up for the final 29:03 of play to give the Lyons a 1-0 win. 

Worcester State looked to get the equalizer in the final minute of play with a pair of penalty corner opportunities, but junior forward Leah McNally (Barre, Mass.) was denied with under 45 seconds to play by the Wheaton keeper.

Sophomore goalie Grace Ferguson (Williston, Vt.) stopped all four shots she faced to record her first collegiate shutout for the Lyons. Junior defender Maddie Hatch (Gorham, Maine) posted a defensive save to help preserve Wheaton's blank sheet as well. Senior keeper Madison Ferrara (Somerset, Mass.) stopped seven of eight shots for Worcester State.

McNally led the Lancers with three shots – all on frame for the Lancers.

The Lyons return to action on Saturday, September 7 when they travel to Dudley, Mass. to take on Nichols College at 1:00 p.m., while Worcester State hosts Keene State College on the same day at 12:00 p.m.