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FH 10.19.24
1
U. of New England UNE (6-9, 1-2)
2
Winner Western New Eng. WNE (9-6, 3-1)
U. of New England UNE
(6-9, 1-2)
1
Final
2
Western New Eng. WNE
(9-6, 3-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
U. of New England UNE 0 1 0 0 1
Western New Eng. WNE 0 1 0 1 2

Game Recap: Field Hockey |

Kaczka’s Late Goal Stuns UNE, WNE Field Hockey Defeat Nor’easters For First Time In Program History

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 19, 2024) – The Western New England field hockey team put forth a gritty effort on Saturday evening from Golden Bear Stadium in Conference of New England (CNE) play, taking down the Nor'easters of the University of New England for the first time in program history, defeating UNE 2-1.

Records:
  • Western New England: 9-6, 3-1 CNE
  • University of New England: 6-9, 1-2 CNE
How it Happened:

A defensive battle for both teams would open the first 15 minutes of play as just two shots were had in the quarter, both coming UNE's way. Shelly Tremblay and Emma Shuman would record shots for the Nor'easters, neither on goal to test WNE starting keeper Zoey Wexler. The Golden Bears would not be able to put together any offense in the opening quarter, though held UNE to just two penalty corners.

UNE continued to control much of the offensive attack in the second quarter as Laney LeBlanc and Lily Clough came away with shots, denied by Wexler. With less than nine minutes to play in the second quarter, UNE would be the first on the scoreboard when Madi Robito collected her fourth goal of the season. A flurry in front of the goal would bounce around the crease. As WNE attempted to clear the ball, the ball would find the stick of Robito, who made no mistake with it, firing the ball into the back of the net to give the University of New England a 1-0 lead. Western New England's first shot of the game came with less than five minutes to play in the frame when Kayla Antonelli fired a shot on UNE keeper Dawn DeWeese-Moss, who made the save. Following the shot, the ball would fall to Kara Edwards, who swept the ball back towards the goal and towards the stick of Sarah Johnston, who buried her 10th goal of the season, one game removed from recording her 100th career point in WNE field hockey history. Western New England continued to put shots up as Haley Kaczka and Amanda Burns took shots on goal though would not be able to break the tie. WNE outshot UNE in the second quarter 5-3, while both teams took two penalty corners each.

More of a defensive effort was had in the third quarter as the Golden Bears had the only two shots on goal in the frame, with Kaczka and Mackenna Cooke taking the only two rips towards DeWeese-Moss. UNE would not be able to pick up a shot or a penalty corner in the third frame overall.

UNE came away with a quick chance in the fourth quarter when Lily Clough got a chance on Zoey Wexler, though Wexler would keep UNE from scoring with a save. Laney LeBlanc picked up a quick shot after that, though wide of the cage. WNE would pick up offense for much of the next nine minutes as Cooke, Kaczka, Edwards, Analise Trani, Johnston, and Antonelli would all come away with shots though would not be able to record goals. On their seventh penalty corner of the quarter, Western New England would turn to Sarah Johnston for the first time to insert. Johnstonwould insert the corner to Haley Kaczka, who took a big shot from just inside the crease that deflected off a UNE stick and into the goal to give Western New England a 2-1 lead, their first lead of the game. UNE would not go quietly, needing a goal with just 3:53 to play in the quarter to continue the game. Back-to-back green cards would put WNE two players down with 34 seconds remaining. After an ensuing penalty corner from UNE, Lily Clough would rip a shot that would nearly find the back of the net, but a massive right kick save from Zoey Wexler would keep UNE off the scoreboard. Clough would have one final chance for the Nor'easters with two seconds left, though the bid would go wide, sending Western New England to their first ever victory in program history over the Nor'easters, a 2-1 win.

Inside the Lines:
  • Western New England's heavy offensive attackers led the way on Saturday evening as Sarah Johnston (10) and Haley Kaczka (11) picked up goals for the Golden Bears in the win.
  • Kara Edwards and Sarah Johnston picked up the assists on the goals for the Golden Bears. Edwards notches her third assist of the season while Johnston picks up her eighth multi-point game of the season.
  • The Golden Bears outshot UNE 16-10 overall and 13-4 on goal.
  • Zoey Wexler made three saves on four attempts, while Dawn DeWeese-Moss collected 11 saves.
  • Western New England had been 0-28 against UNE all-time before tonight's victory.
Up Next on the Schedule:
  • The Golden Bears rest this week and will next be in action on Tuesday, October 29 at 6:30 PM on the road at Salve Regina University for their final non-conference game of the regular season.
 
 
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