SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 26, 2023) – The Western New England field hockey team remained unbeaten on Tuesday night, defeating the Spartans from Vermont State University-Castleton by a final score of 2-0 at Golden Bear Stadium.
Records:
- Western New England: 9-0
- Castleton University: 7-2
How it Happened:
Western New England met the Spartans for the first time since 2011 and the first time at Golden Bear Stadium since 2010. Castleton's Emily Harris came into tonight's action with 28 goals in eight games on the season, leading the nation in goals scored. Western New England would get the quick star they were looking for, grabbing the first goal of the game just 6:44 into the contest. WNE's leading goal scorer,
Sarah Johnston, would dip her way through the Spartans defense and make a move on Castleton GK Zoe Martin and found the back of the net, giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. Western New England would see
Ella Henry make two saves in the quarter, holding Harris and Amelia Watson off the scoreboard. WNE held a 3-2 shot advantage in the opening frame.
Just two shots on goal were seen in the second quarter, one by each team, both saved by each team's goalkeeper. With the Golden Bears clinging to a 1-0 lead, the Spartans would turn up their offensive game and put the pressure on Western New England in the third quarter, taking all three shots in the frame, though again,
Ella Henry would be up to the task, making two saves on two Castleton shots on goal to keep the high-powered Spartans offense off the scoreboard. Western New England would be shut out of shots in the third frame.
In the fourth quarter, Western New England would show why they are still one of just eight remaining undefeated teams in NCAA Division III, shutting down the offense of Castleton and not allowing a Spartans shot in the fourth. WNE would get back on the board in the fourth quarter to grab their ninth straight win of the season when
Olyvia Whyte would insert a penalty corner that bounced around inside the crease. The ball would be picked up by
Sarah Johnston, who fed
Whyte, who took an arching shot that sailed up and under the cross bar, floating into the cage, giving Western New England the 2-0 lead. WNE would hold their lead for the remainder of the contest, defeating Castleton for the first time since 2008 and shutting out the nation's top scorer for just the second time this season.
Inside the Box:
- Sarah Johnston continues to lead Western New England on the offensive side of the game, scoring her seventh goal of the season while picking up her fifth assist of the season, good for 19 points on the season.
- Sophomore Ella Henry made all four saves for the Golden Bears, winning her eighth game of the season while picking up her fourth shutout of the season.
- Olyvia Whyte contributed on the offensive end, scoring her fourth goal of the season.
- The WNE defense, consisting of Emma Karamian, Haley Kaczka, Grace Miguel, and Analise Trani helped Western New England pick up their fifth game of the season by allowing zero goals. WNE's 0.50 shutouts per game rank 10th in the nation.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England returns to conference play on Saturday, September 30 at 1:00 PM, traveling to Roger Williams University.
