NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Wesleyan field hockey team (5-10, 1-9) concluded the 2019 campaign falling 2-1 at Connecticut College (3-12, 1-9). Head coach Christine Kemp guided the Cardinals to its best season since 2013 in her first year at the helm of the program. Wesleyan was led by first-year Diana Schwarz who recorded a team-high six goals in her rookie performance. Goaltender Delaney Wood finished the season with the most saves in the NESCAC (114) while recording a .786 save percentage.
"I am extremely proud of how our team has improved since our very first practice this year," expressed head coach Christine Kemp. "We play in a very competitive conference and most of our games are against teams that are nationally ranked. To be able to upset a team like Tufts, and lose by just one goal to several ranked squads, shows that we can play at that same level. In my first year, I would have loved to make it into the NESCAC tournament, but I am really happy when I look back and see how far we have come in just a few short months. It makes me very excited to see where we can take this program in the next few years."
HIGHLIGHTS
- Connecticut College had a good chance to score just 2:14 in when Meghan Gazard dribbled into the circle, but her shot was denied with a blocker save by Wesleyan goalie Wood.
- Gazard persisted and found the back of the cage with 9:19 expired, giving the Camels a 1-0 edge.
- Wesleyan responded at the 17:50 mark. An initial penalty corner shot by Olivia Baglieri was denied before Schwarz one-timed the rebound into the back of the cage to knot the game 1-1.
- Connecticut College answered with 22:35 expired when Courtney Peyko tipped-in a loose ball after a scramble in front of the goal, making it 2-1 heading into intermission.
- Out of the break, Amy Schaap had a great chance for the equalizer with 31:09 expired after a penalty corner, but Connecticut College's Colleen Raftery came up big with a defensive save to deny the chance.
- Wesleyan's Olivia Baglieri looked to knot the game at the 55:01 mark after a penalty corner, but Camel goaltender Andi McGraw made a sprawling save to thwart the opportunity.
- The Cardinals had back-to-back penalty corners in the final minute of play, but a strong Connecticut College defense denied any chances as the Camels hung on for the 2-1 win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Wood made three saves in the first 22:09, while Caitlin Grant stopped one shot during the final 37:51.
- McGraw picked up the win for the Camels, recording seven saves in goal.
- Wesleyan held a slight edge in shots (9-7) and an 11-3 advantage in penalty corners.