Field Hockey Earns 3-1 Victory over Crosstown Rival Springfield College

Golden Bears defeat Pride for first time in 10 meetings

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 4, 2019) – The Western New England University field hockey team outscored Springfield College 2-0 in the second half to claim a 3-1 victory over the Pride on Wednesday night at Golden Bear Stadium.

Top Performers
Senior captain Jacqueline Clark (Auburn, Mass.) scored both of Western New England's second half goals to lead the way, while junior Haley Daigneault (Longmeadow, Mass.) tallied the opener for the Golden Bears.

Freshman goalkeeper Lexie Hemstock (Cheshire, Conn.) turned in another strong performance in the cage, finishing with ten saves on 11 shots.

Springfield's lone goal was scored by senior forward Taylor Conley (Yarmouth Port, Mass.).

Game Review
For the second straight game, the Golden Bears took an early lead. Just over four minutes into the contest, sophomore Taylor Klesyk (Hamden, Conn.) intercepted a Springfield pass in the offensive zone and sent a cross to the front of the cage, where Daigneault stuffed home the game's opening goal.

The Pride had an opportunity to tie the score late in the first quarter on a breakaway by freshman Grace Levansavich (Auburn, Mass.), but Hemstock charged out and deflected the attempt wide of the cage.

Springfield eventually was able to find the equalizer on a rebound by Conley just before halftime, sending the contest to the break tied 1-1.

With a minute and a half remaining in the third period, the Golden Bears regained the lead. Senior Jessica Clifford (Auburn, Mass.) put a shot on target that was turned aside by Springfield goalie Elizabeth Morehouse (North Attleboro, Mass.), but Clark pounced on the rebound and found the back of the cage to make it 2-1.

Clifford also played a key role in Western New England's third goal, which came early in the fourth quarter. After forcing a Springfield turnover near midfield, she delivered a centering pass to Klesyk, who found Clark in front of the cage. Clark's shot trickled past Morehouse and crossed the goal line for the final score of the contest.

Springfield had four shots on goal and four penalty corners in the fourth quarter, but the Western New England defense kept the Pride off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Notes
• Western New England's win marks the first victory for the Golden Bears over the Pride in ten all-time meetings.
• Clark leads the Golden Bears with three goals so far this season, while Hemstock has a 0.59 goals against average through her first two collegiate contests.

Up Next
Western New England (2-0) will look to keep rolling on Saturday night, when the Golden Bears host Clark at 6 p.m. Springfield (1-1) travels to Keene State on Saturday.