Blue Field Hockey Dominates Wheaton to Open NEWMAC Play

WELLESLEY, Mass.-- The Wellesley College field hockey team cruised to a 5-1 win over visiting Wheaton College, in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both squads. The win lifts the Blue to 6-1 (1-), while the Lyons dip to 3-5 (0-1).

Wellesley held a commanding 29-5 advantage in shots, while holding an equally impressive 20-1 lead in penalty corner opportunities. 

The Blue started the scoring just six minutes into play, as Nathalie Gruet deflected a hard shot from Hannah Flesch on a penalty corner. After the score, Wellesley controlled play the rest half, allowing the Lyons just three trips to their offensive end.

Despite 17 first half opportunities for the Blue, the team needed until the 33rd minute to push the lead to 2-0. Anissa Sridhar created the goal, carrying the ball up the left side of the field recording an unassisted tally at 32:12. 

In the second half, Wellesley quickly made it a 3-0 game, as Courtney Peterson scored on a pass from Flesch, after a corner. Nikki Sharkin then pushed the Wellesley advantage to 5-0 after two straight unassisted goals. 

Wheaton finally broke through in the 69th minute, recording their first two shots of the half, capitalizing on the first. Wellesley's defense was caught off guard, while Jenna Rocha and Emily Chick came up the right side of the field. Chick then deflected a ball from Rocha for the lone Wheaton score of the game. 

Brit Mscisz played the first 57 minutes in goal for the Blue and needed to make just one stop. She gave way to Becky Hamilton who played the final 13 minutes. For Wheaton, Ellie Massengill made nine saves in the loss. 

Wellesley returns to action on Wednesday, traveling to Connecticut College for a 6:30pm non-conference match-up. Wheaton will have little rest, returning home to play UMass-Dartmouth tomorrow at 12:00pm.