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Western New England University

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Fh 10.29.24
5
Winner Western New Eng. WNE (10-6)
2
Salve Regina SRU (11-6)
Winner
Western New Eng. WNE
(10-6)
5
Final
2
Salve Regina SRU
(11-6)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Western New Eng. WNE 1 2 1 1 5
Salve Regina SRU 0 1 1 0 2

Game Recap: Field Hockey |

Cooke Scores, Notches Two Assists In Big 5-2 Win Over Salve Regina

NEWPORT, R.I. (October 29, 2024) – The Western New England field hockey team continued its winning ways on Tuesday night at Gaudet Field, defeating the Seahawks of Salve Regina University in non-conference action by a final score of 5-2. Mackenna Cooke led Western New England with a goal and two assists in the win.

Records:
  • Western New England: 10-6
  • Salve Regina University: 11-6
How it Happened: 

Western New England put together the only two shots in the opening 15 minutes of play, one of which resulted in a goal when Hannah Curtis scored her first career goal as a Golden Bear with five minutes remaining in the first half, giving her team a 1-0 lead. After Mackenna Cooke took a shot that was saved by Salve's Bryn Protheroe, Curtis found the rebound and put it in the back of the net. Western New England maintained the majority of possession in the first quarter, while Salve Regina managed just one penalty corner. WNE also earned one penalty corner in the opening frame, leading 1-0 after the first 15 minutes of play.

Salve Regina's Natalie Vaughn opened the second quarter with the first shot of the game, which was turned aside by WNE's Zoey Wexler, keeping the Seahawks off the board. After two more shots were taken by Western New England, Salve got on the scoreboard for the first time as its leading scorer, Julia Decker, found the net for the 16th time this season, evening the score at one. WNE responded quickly, retaking the lead 2-1 when Sarah Johnston picked up a pass from Mackenna Cooke, marking her 100th career point with her 11th goal of the season. The Golden Bears scored again in the second quarter off a penalty corner, with Sarah Johnston assisting on Analise Trani's second goal of the season, giving the blue and gold a 3-1 lead at halftime. WNE outshot Salve 6-2 in the frame and recorded four penalty corners.

The Seahawks narrowed the gap early in the third quarter as Natalie Vaughn scored her fourth goal of the year, making the score 3-2 in favor of the Golden Bears. Seven minutes into the third quarter, Zoey Wexler made a crucial save to prevent Salve from tying the game. The Golden Bears then responded with another goal to regain a two-goal lead, as Kayla Antonelli scored for the third time this season, assisted by Mackenna Cooke, who recorded her second assist of the night. Antonelli's goal was the only shot for WNE in the third frame, which saw them outshot 3-1. Salve Regina took four penalty corners during this period.

In the fourth quarter, the Golden Bears controlled much of the offense to seal the victory over Salve Regina. Sarah Johnston, and Mackenna Cooke recorded shots for WNE, but they were unable to score early on. Salve attempted to rally with a shot from Julia Decker, but Wexler remained strong and kept the Seahawks off the scoreboard. Mackenna Cooke capped off the night with her sixth goal of the season, finishing with a four-point game (1 G, 2 A) and leading the Golden Bears to a 5-2 victory.

Inside the Lines:
  • WNE outshot Salve Regina 6-1 in the fourth quarter, taking a 15-6 advantage for the game. The Golden Bears put up 12 shots on goal, while Salve recorded five.
  • Mackenna Cooke scored a goal and had two assists, totaling a game-high four points in the win.
  • Hannah Curtis, Sarah Johnston, Analise Trani, and Kayla Antonelli also scored for Western New England.
  • Zoey Wexler recorded three saves for WNE.
  • The Golden Bears avenged last year's defeat to Salve Regina on home field, a 2-1 loss in overtime.
Coaches Corner:
  • After a near ten day break without competition, Head Coach Kyle Lyons was pleased with tonight's 5-2 road victory. "I'm super proud of the team's performance tonight! After a 10 day stretch with no game, I was really impressed with how connected the girls were on the field and how hungry we were all over the field. Salve is a great opponent with a lot of speed and I think our connectedness really won us the game."
  • Looking ahead, WNE will take on Endicott College in CNE action for the final regular season game of the year. Lyons is excited about the opportunity to take on Endicott to close ths season. "We have an exciting game this weekend and get to celebrate our seniors against a really strong opponent in Endicott. The game plan for the remainder of the week will be to continue working on our ball movement up the field and a big defensive emphasis on keeping the ball outside of our circle and being connected on both attack and defense. We have to capitalize in our attacking circle and defend with lots of discipline as a team. We are really excited to celebrate this senior group, they have truly brought this program to new places and have made history for the program two years in a row."
Up Next on the Schedule:
  • Western New England returns to Golden Bear Stadium on Saturday, November 2, at 3:00 PM to take on Endicott College in CNE action. The Golden Bears will also host Senior Day prior to the start of the game.
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