Amherst, Mass. (September 18, 2024) – The field hockey team traveled to Amherst, Massachusetts, for a game against Amherst College Wednesday night. The Mammoths would score one goal in the first quarter and three in the second to get past the Golden Bears 4-0. Anna Aiello recorded a first-half hat trick for the Mammoths in the win.

Records:

• Western New England: 2-4 (0-0)
• No. 10 Amherst College: 4-1 (0-0)

How it Happened:

The game began with Ella Henry and Grace Puchalski in goal for the Golden Bears and Mammoths, respectively. The teams went back and forth, with neither team finding a true opportunity for the first nine minutes of play. That's when Amherst had three shots in a row, with Henry making the first two saves. However, the third shot found the back of the goal. Anna Aiello scored that goal to give Amherst the lead 1-0. Amherst had another shot in the 12th minute saved by Henry. Then, they had two shots and a corner in the 13th minute. Neither shot tested Henry. Amherst continued to build momentum with a shot in the final minute of the quarter. However, it went wide, and the first quarter finished. The stats saw Amherst leading in shots 7-0, shots on goal 4-0, penalty corners 2-0, and goals 1-0. The Golden Bears led in fouls 9-4 and saves 3-0. Amherst led 1-0 after the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the teams trade the ball early. Then, after a penalty corner in the 18th minute of play, Justine Liguori received a pass from Kate Smith and scored. Amherst led 2-0. The Golden Bears tried to combat the momentum from Amherst. However, they could not, and the Mammoths would have four shots in a row. The first was saved by Haley Kaczka. The next three shots were saved by Ella Henry before Anna Aiello scored a second goal of the first half in the 26th minute of play. The 3-0 lead would not stop the Mammoths from continuing to charge down the field, looking for a fourth goal. They had a shot go wide in the 29th minute of play. Then, with thirty-three seconds remaining in the first half, Anna Aiello received a pass from Caroline Busler and sent the ball into the goal to record a first-half hat trick. The Mammoths had a 4-0 lead, which continued into halftime. The stats showed Amherst College having more shots 15-0, more shots on goal 11-0, more penalty corners 3-0, and more goals 4-0 through one half of play. The Golden Bears had more saves 7-0 and more fouls 23-11 at the half.

Zoey Wexler entered the game in goal for the Golden Bears at the start of the second half. Sara Nidus replaced Puchalski in goal for the second half for the Mammoths, as well. The Golden Bears were eager to keep the deficit from getting larger in the second half. The Mammoths kept applying pressure via a shot saved by Wexler 3:56 into the second half. They then had a penalty corner and a shot go wide in the 36th minute. The Golden Bears would keep them from having scoring opportunities for most of the final 9:30 of the third quarter. They caused turnovers and moved the ball away from their own goal. Amherst would return with pressure with 3:32 left in the third. They had a penalty corner and a shot go wide. However, that would be it for the third quarter in terms of scoring opportunities. The Golden Bears' defense held strong and kept the Mammoths scoreless in the third quarter. Shots were 3-0 in favor of the Mammoths. The Mammoths also led in shots on goal 1-0, penalty corners 2-0, and fouls 12-8. The Golden Bears led in saves 1-0.

The fourth quarter saw the Mammoths try to find a fifth goal. However, the Golden Bears dug in and kept holding the Mammoths to a scoreless second half. They moved the ball away from the goal and caused more turnovers. They held the Mammoths to no shots during the quarter for the first eight minutes. Then, Zoey Wexler made a save in the 9th minute of the final quarter. The Golden Bears had an opportunity in the 56th minute with a penalty corner; however, they could not deliver a shot. A few seconds later, they had a second penalty corner, which did lead to a shot. However, it went wide. The Mammoths found an opportunity through a penalty corner in the 58th minute. However, no shot arrived. Then, in the final minute of play, Amherst had three shots saved by Wexler and a penalty corner. The Golden Bears would hold strong, and the game would finish 4-0. The final stats saw the Mammoths leading in shots 22-1, shots on goal 16-0, penalty corners 7-2, and goals 4-0. The Golden Bears led in fouls 41-34 and saves 11-0. The Golden Bears lost to the Mammoths 4-0.

Coach's Corner:

Head coach Kyle Lyons was asked for a comment on tonight's game. "There are a lot of positives to take from this game, especially the second half. To hold a team like Amherst scoreless in the second half is great," Lyons responded. Lyons was also asked what was different between the first and second halves. "At halftime, we emphasized staying connected as a team, staying positive, and to play our game. The output and effort from individuals and from the team was excellent; nothing to hang our heads about," Lyons answered.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears traveled to Amherst College for a Wednesday night game.
• Anna Aiello netted goal number one of the season to start the game for the Mammoths in the 10th minute. The goal was unassisted and made the game 1-0.
• Justine Liguori netted the second Amherst College goal 3:10 into the second quarter. Kate Smith assisted the goal, and the Golden Bears trailed 2-0.
• Anna Aiello netted a second goal with 4:48 left in the first half. The goal was unassisted, and the Mammoths led 3-0.
• Anna Aiello completed the hat trick with thirty-three seconds left in the first half. Caroline Busler assisted the goal. The Mammoths now led 4-0.
• Ella Henry made six saves, and Zoey Wexler made five saves for the Golden Bears.
• Neither Grace Puchalski nor Sara Nidus had to make a save, and the Mammoths recorded a shutout victory.
• The Mammoths beat the Golden Bears 4-0.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will start their conference play on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 7:00 PM. They travel to Dudley, Massachusetts, to take on Nichols College.
• Amherst College will play their second NESCAC game on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM against Middlebury College.