Field Hockey Opens 2019 Campaign with 1-0 Victory over Wheaton

Daigneault scores game's only goal in first quarter

NORTON, Mass. (August 31, 2019) – The Western New England University field hockey team opened its 2019 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Wheaton College on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at Nordin Field.

Top Performers
The lone goal of the contest came off the stick of junior forward Haley Daigneault (Longmeadow, Mass.), while freshman goalie Lexie Hemstock (Cheshire, Conn.) notched a five-save shutout in her collegiate debut.

Game Review
Western New England put a pair of shots on goal early in the opening quarter, before breaking through at the 4:50 mark when Daigneault scored on a feed from sophomore Taylor Klesyk (Hamden, Conn.).

The Golden Bears, who outshot Wheaton 4-1 in the first quarter, held a 2-0 edge in the second period and led 1-0 at halftime.

The third quarter saw Wheaton attempt a pair of penalty corners and put three shots on target, but Hemstock stopped all three attempts to keep Western New England in front.

In the final frame, the Golden Bears turned in a strong defensive performance to seal the win as Wheaton was limited to one shot on goal and no penalty corners.

Notes
• The win marks the first career victory for Western New England first-year head coach Kyle Lyons.
• The Golden Bears outshot Wheaton 13-9.  

Up Next
Western New England (1-0) returns home to host Springfield College on Wednesday, while Wheaton (0-1) travels to Salve Regina on Wednesday.