WNE Field Hockey Shuts Out Husson 4-0

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 16, 2022) – The Western New England field hockey team picked up key contributions from Taylor Klesyk and Sarah Johnston on their way to a 4-0 win over the Eagles of Husson University from Golden Bear Stadium on Friday afternoon. 

Records:

• Western New England: 3-2
• Husson University: 2-2

How it Happened:
The Golden Bears gained edge of the first ten minutes of play, coming away with early chances on the Eagles, though Husson's Kimmie Goodard stood tall, shutting down two chances for WNE. Western New England would need seven and a half minutes to get on the board for the first time in the game when Taylor Klesyk found the back net for the second time on the season when Sarah Johnston was able to feed a pass to the back post where Klesyk tucked home Western New England's first goal of the afternoon to pick up a 1-0 lead. GK Zoey Wexler made two saves in the opening 15 minutes of the contest as Western New England outshot Husson 4-3. 

Western New England would get back on the scoreboard in the opening minutes of the second quarter when Sarah Johnston, again, made a nifty pass, this time to teammate Olivia Eastman, who was able to find the back of the net for the first time on the season, extending Western New England's lead to two goals. Husson would come back with three quick chances off penalty corners, though could not convert, leaving chances off the scoreboard. WNE would rebound and pounce on a chance to the back of the net with under five minutes to play in the quarter as Emily Campbell dished home her fifth goal of the season to lead all Golden Bears on another assist from Sarah Johnston to give Western New England a 3-0 lead at the half. Husson came away with four shots in the second quarter to WNE's three.

The second half would be all Golden Bears as relentless defense would be the key to victory for Western New England on the afternoon. WNE would come away with their fourth goal of the game when Carly-Anna Barba took a penalty corner and WNE would capitalize on the chance. Barba's insert would bounce off multiple sticks of the Eagles before Barba was able to find the loose ball and send a pass to Taylor Klesyk, who knocked in her second of the game and third on the season, giving Western New England the four-goal lead, which would be all the Golden Bears would need in the game. WNE's defense came up big, shutting out Husson in the goals and shots department in the second half. After outshooting the Eagles 3-0 in the final 15 minutes, WNE would come away with the 4-0 victory on Friday afternoon. 

Around the Lines:

• WNE's Sarah Johnston picked up a hat-trick of assists in the game, coming away with the first three helpers in the win. 
• Taylor Klesyk scored twice for WNE, picking up goal numbers two and three on the season. 
• GK Zoey Wexler came away with two saves in the contest, marking her 100^th save as a Golden Bear. 
• Husson stroked eight penalty corners in the game, while WNE came away with six. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England travels to Westfield State for their final tune-up game before conference play. That game will take place at Alumni Field on Thursday, September 22 at 7:00 pm. 
• Husson travels to Colby College on Sunday, September 18 at 12:00 pm.