Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. (September 30, 2023) – The Western New England field hockey team fell on the road on Saturday afternoon to the Hawks of Roger Williams University, dropping their first contest of the season while also dropping their first conference game of the season, falling 3-0.

Records:

• Western New England: 9-1, 1-1 CCC
• Roger Williams: 8-2, 2-0 CCC

How it Happened:
The Hawks controlled much of the play in the 60-minute game, not allowing the attack of the Golden Bears to find the back of the net. Western New England sophomore goalkeeper Ella Henry was tested early, as the Hawks were awarded a penalty stroke just 40 seconds into the contest, though Henry was up to the task, making a right blocker save to keep the Hawks off the scoreboard. Henry would make two saves on two shots on goal in the opening frame as WNE was outshot 4-1 in the quarter, with Carly-Anna Barba taking the lone shot for the Golden Bears.

Western New England could not hold the Hawks scoreless in the second quarter, as Roger Williams would score their first goal of the game off a penalty corner to go up 1-0. Western New England would have a chance to respond on their offensive end of the game when Grace Miguel inserted a penalty corner for Analise Trani, who took a shot that was saved by the Hawks goalkeeper, keeping Western New England off the scoreboard. The Hawks would go back on the offensive attack and maintain much of the offense in the second quarter, which led to their second goal of the game with just 31 seconds to play in the first half. Ella Henry would make a save after a penalty corner from RWU, though a second chance for the Hawks would see the second goal of the game enter the net, as RWU took a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes of play. Roger Williams came away with an 8-1 shot advantage in the quarter, scoring the first two goals of the game.

Western New England would fail to record any sort of offense on the stat sheet in the third quarter as Roger Williams would pepper the Golden Bears with seven shots, three on goal. The WNE defense would stand tall, not allowing the Hawks to find the back of the net in the third 15 minutes of play, as Ella Henry would make three stops in the third quarter.

Roger Williams would need just four minutes to score twice in the fourth quarter, crushing the Golden Bears perfect record on the season. Henry would make two opening quarter saves before a third chance, on the second penalty stroke awarded to the Hawks in the game, was buried, giving Roger Williams a 3-0 lead. Just 42 seconds later, the Hawks would fly down the field and score their fourth goal of the game to extend their lead over Western New England. WNE would attempt to find their offensive footing late in the contest with two penalty corners and a blocked shot, but it would not be enough as Western New England would eventually succumb to the Hawks, falling 4-0 in CCC play.

Inside the Lines:

• Strong defense from the Hawks and timely scoring would give RWU the win in CCC play. Roger Williams outshot Western New England 24-3 in the contest and 13-1 on goal.
• Ella Henry made nine saves for the Golden Bears, recording her first loss of the season.
• RWU becomes the first team to defeat Western New England this season after WNE started off the season with nine straight wins, a program record.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England hosts Keene State College on Wednesday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m.