No. 9 Wellesley Field Hockey Scores Three Unanswered Goals to Down Conn. College

NEW LONDON, Conn.— Wellesley College field hockey got three goals from three different players, as the Blue's well-balanced attacked led them to a 3-1 non-conference victory over Connecticut College on Thursday evening. The Blue, up to No. 9 in the latest NFHCA National Coaches Poll, improve to 6-0 on the season. The host Camels drop to 1-5 on the year.

Conn. College scored the games first goal, and their only goal of the night, just four minutes into play. Sophomore Colbi Vaillancourt (Manchester, N.H.) redirected a drive from classmate Katlyn Paiva (Rehoboth, Mass.) into the back of the cage to put the hosts on top, 1-0. 

The opening marker was the lone blemish on the evening for sophomore goalkeeper Lucy Hurlock (Needham, Mass.), as she finished with 11 saves to earn her sixth win of the year.

Wellesley scored the game's next two goals, taking a 2-1 lead into the half thanks to first year Rachel Hwang (Campbell, Calif.) and senior Hannah Flesch (Rockville, Md.). Hwang got the Blue on the board when she finished on a two-on-one thanks to a pass from junior Neha Vellanki (Saratoga, Calif.). Flesch then added her third of the season with 4:24 left before the half, tipping in a shot from senior Anissa Sridhar (London, Ontario).

In the second half, junior Courtney Peterson (Glastonbury, Conn.) put away her own rebound to score her fourth of the year at 43:52. 

Wellesley finished with a 19-17 edge in shots, despite Conn. College holding an 11-10 lead in chances in the second half. The Blue also earned 13 penalty corner opportunities to just five for the Camels.

Both teams will play again on Saturday at noon. Wellesley will visit New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference rival Mount Holyoke College, while the Camels will host Hamilton.