WEST CHESTER, Pa. - West Chester University's field hockey squad scored a pair of goals in the third quarter to break a 1-1 deadlock at halftime en route to a 3-1 non-league season-opening victory over visiting Stonehill on a brisk Friday evening at Vonnie Gros Field.
West Chester (1-0) had opened the scoring in the first quarter when Caitlin Kelly (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) batted in a lose ball on the near post. However, Stonehill answered in the second quarter on a nice tip in front that got just under the crossbar.
The NCAA switched the game format to four, 15 minute quarters for field hockey this season.
How it Happened:
· Caitie McNamara (Buderim, Australia) dribbled up the middle of the field and ripped a reverse chip into the top left-hand corner of the net six minutes into the third quarter. It proved to be the game-winner, giving the hosts a 2-1 advantage at the time.
· Kat Roncoroni (Lebanon Twp., N.J./Voorhees) then doubled the lead with an insurance tally six minutes later.
· Caitlin Kelly (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) put the hosts on top 11 minutes into the game when she batted a lose ball into the net standing on the near post. Katie Thompson (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills) took a shot that was stopped by a diving Michaela Antonellis for a defensive save for the Stonehill center back.
Inside the Box Score:
· Thompson, a first-team All-American a year ago, assisted on two of West Chester's three goals.
· Freshman GK Claire Nielsen (Wescosville, Pa./Emmaus) made four saves in her first college start to earn the win in the cage.
Notes:
· Before the game, a check for $40,000 was presented to West Chester University Director of Athletics, Terry Beattie, by field hockey head coach Amy Cohen and the Cohen Family in support of the June M. Cohen Memorial Scholarship.
West Chester continues its two-game homestand to open the year with a non-league match against Bloomsburg next Wednesday at Vonnie Gros Field.
