Wellesley Field Hockey Dominates NEC in Opener

WELLESLEY, Mass. – The Wellesley College field hockey team opened the 2014 season with a dominating 10-0 victory over New England College at home on Wednesday afternoon. The win starts the Blue at 1-0, while the Pilgrims dip to 0-3 on the season.

Wellesley piled on 51 total shots in the game, holding NEC to just one, a late second half attempt. 

Hannah Flesch led the Blue's offensive attack, recording four goals and an assist to finish with five points. Nathalie Gruet also recorded a five-point effort, scoring twice while adding three assists in the victory. Also adding goals for the Blue were Nikki Sharkin, Courtney Peterson, Dana Marks, and Emmy Hamilton. Meghan Peterson rounded out the offense with an assist.

New England College's Michaela Clark racked up 18 total saves in the contest, while Patricia Wright added a pair of defensive saves in the contest. Cody Kent had the only shot attempt for the visitors, a breakaway that was stopped by Wellesley's Becky Hamilton. Hamilton played the final half in goal for the Blue after a start from Lucy Hurlock.

Wellesley scored a pair of goals in the first three minutes of play, but were shut out for the rest of the half, thanks to 13 saves from Clark. The Blue built up a 25-0 shots advantage at the break.

The Blue turned things up in the second half, scoring early and often to put the game out of reach. Wellesley tallied 14 total penalty corners in the game, while holding NEC without one.

The Blue take the field again on Saturday, September 6, when they host Gordon College at noon. The Pilgrims return to action on Saturday as well, when they travel to Keene State for a 1:30 match-up.