SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 23, 2023) – The Western New England field hockey team needed the full 60 minutes on Saturday afternoon to take a victory from the visiting Huskies of the University of Southern Maine from Golden Bear Stadium, as fourth quarter goals from
Kara Edwards would spark a WNE comeback and victory in the team's Go4TheGoal game.
Records:
- Western New England: 8-0
- Southern Maine: 6-3
How it Happened:
No scoring would come about after the first 15 minutes of play as both goalies were tested early. Western New England would take the shot advantage 4-2 in the opening frame, though Eleanor Folsom would make three saves in the first quarter and WNE goalkeeper
Ella Henry would make two saves to keep the Huskies off the scoreboard.
In a second quarter that was dominated by the Golden Bears in their Go4TheGoal game, Southern Maine found the back of the net for the first goal of the game when Gabby Maines tallied for the Huskies to give USM the early 1-0 lead. Western New England would look to respond as
Kara Edwards would get a chance on goal while two penalty corners would be taken in the final two minutes of play, though Western New England would be held off the scoreboard as the Huskies took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Western New England would dominate many of the chances in the third quarter and would come away with six penalty corners, one of which would result in their first goal of the game late in the quarter. After
Grace Miguel inserted a penalty corner,
Analise Trani would stop the rolling ball and take a shot that would find the back of the net for her second goal of the season, tying the game at one. WNE took a 7-1 shot advantage in the frame.
In the fourth quarter, Western New England would see Southern Maine take the first two shots of the game, both of which were kicked away by
Ella Henry, holding USM off the scoreboard. Western New England would march down the field after that and take three shots on goal, all of which were saved by Southern Maine's goalkeeper. The Golden Bears would get back on the scoreboard with just under nine minutes remaining in the contest when
Kara Edwards found the back of the net for the third time of the season on an assist from
Haley Kaczka, giving Western New England their first lead of the game and taking a 2-1 lead. Just over two minutes later, it would be
Edwards again, as the duo of
Edwards and
Sarah Johnston would connect again on a goal this season, as Western New England would grab a 3-1 lead. The Golden Bears would see the clock run out on the Huskies, as WNE would collect their eighth straight victory of the season, taking a 3-1 win.
Inside the Box:
- Kara Edwards mounted the second-half comeback for Western New England, scoring two second-half goals to take the victory.
- WNE outshot USM 19-6 and 16-5 in shots on goal.
- WNE was awarded 17 penalty corners in the game, while Southern Maine took just two.
- The Golden Bears win their first meeting of all time against the Huskies.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England wraps up their four-game homestand on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 PM when Castleton University makes their first trip to Springfield since 2010.
