Blue Field Hockey Rolls to 5-0 Win Over Smith

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- Courtney Peterson scored a goal and added two assists to lead #16 Wellesley College to a 5-0 win over Smith College in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) field hockey action on Saturday.

The loss ended Smith's season opening eight game winning streak, as the Pioneers fall to 8-1, and 2-1 in the NEWMAC.  Wellesley is now 10-1, and 3-0 against NEWMAC foes.

Smith had the opening chance of the game, as Rebecca Meagher's shot following a penalty corner was saved by Brit Mscisz, while Smith counterpart Maddi Wyda stopped Anissa Sridhar at the other end in the 13th minute.  

Kristen Estes' defensive save denied Wellesley's Hannah Flesch, but the Blue broke the deadlock when Meghan Peterson's shot off a penalty corner deflected off Wyda's pads and in. Nikki Sharkin made it 2-0 five minutes before halftime off another penalty corner.   

Holding a 2-0 lead at halftime, Wellesley added a third in the 40th minute when Courtney Peterson scored an unassisted tally. A 43rd-minute goal from Neha Vellanki (assisted by Meghan Peterson), and a 51st-minute goal from Nathalie Gruet (from Hannah Brewster), completed the scoring for the Blue.

Wellesley's Mscisz and Lucy Hurlock each finished with one save for the Blue, splitting time in goal. Wyda started and played the first 48 minutes in the cage for Smith, making two saves. Abbey Petronzio played the final 22 minutes for Smith.

Smith will host No. 20 Mount Holyoke on Tuesday at 4:30 pm, while Wellesley will be at Babson at 7 p.m.on the same day.