Klesyk Collects Four Points in 4-1 Win over Roger Williams

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (September 24, 2022) – The Western New England field hockey team opened CCC play on Saturday evening, coming away with a 4-1 win over the Hawks of Roger Williams University. Graduate student Taylor Klesyk scored a goal and picked up two assists to lead WNE to victory. 

Records:

• Western New England: 5-2, 1-0 CCC
• Roger Williams University: 5-2, 0-2 CCC

How it Happened:

With back-and-forth action to be seen through the first half of the first quarter, Western New England came away with their best scoring chance at the eight-minute mark of the quarter when Olivia Eastman ripped a shot that sailed just past the right post, guarded by Roger Williams' Jill Haidenshield. WNE would use the momentum and get on the board first in the game when Taylor Klesyk banged home a shot on a pass from Ally Randall to give Western New England a 1-0 lead. The lead for the Golden Bears would stand, as Western New England wouldn't allow a shot to the Hawks in the opening 15 minutes, while coming away with three of their own, with one finding the back of the net. 

Roger Williams would find their offensive game just five minutes into the second quarter when they picked up their first shot of the game, a shot on goal. GK Zoey Wexler was up to the task for the Golden Bears, stopping the Hawks leading goal scorer Chelsea King to keep RWU off the scoreboard. RWU would be assessed three penalty corners in the second quarter, though could not find the back of the net. With 40 seconds to play in the second, WNE would find a chance and be awarded with a penalty corner, one they would take advantage of. Western New England's Carly-Anna Barba would send the ball to Sarah Johnston, who was able to knock the ball out of the air and into the back of the net to double Western New England's lead to 2-0. The lead would stand for the first half of action with WNE outshooting Roger Williams 5-2. Zoey Wexler made two saves in the second quarter while WNE put one shot on goal, which found the back of the net. 

Neither team could find the back of the net in the fourth quarter, though Roger Williams had the upper hand being given eight penalty corners, though failing to convert on any of those in the third 15 minutes of play. The Hawks managed just two shots in the quarter on those eight penalty corners. Western New England's offense would be stumped in the third quarter, though would come out firing to open the fourth quarter. 

Olivia Eastman would open the fourth quarter with a shot on goal, though a save for Roger Williams would keep the Hawks in the game. After another penalty corner was awarded to WNE minutes later, the Golden Bears would not be denied. Taylor Klesyk took a shot that was tipped in front of the goal by Sarah Johnston to give the Golden Bears a 3-0 lead. Johnston picked up her fifth goal of the season. Roger Williams would cash in for the next goal of the game on a penalty corner when Kelly Doherty crashed to the net after inserting the penalty corner and deflected the ball into the back of the net to get the Hawks back within striking distance with under four minutes to play in the game. Western New England would give the Hawks no momentum, scoring just 54 seconds later to ice the game and the win. WNE's Haley Kaczka would taking a booming shot that was lifted into the air and into the back left corner of the net to give WNE their fourth goal of the game. Western New England would shortly go on to win the game by a final score of 4-1, picking up their first conference win in their first conference game of the season. 

Between the Posts:

• Taylor Klesyk led all scorers for the Golden Bears, cashing in two goals and picking up an assist in the win. Klesyk now has six goals and five assists on the season. 
• Both Sarah Johnston and Haley Kaczka credited a points for the Golden Bears in the win. 
• GK Zoey Wexler made four saves for Western New England, picking up her fifth win between the pipes. 
• WNE outshot Roger Williams 8-5 in the game, putting home four goals. Penalty corners favored the Hawks, 11-6. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England returns to CCC play on Saturday, October 1 at 1:00 pm when the University of New England visits Golden Bear Stadium. 
• Roger Williams welcomes Johnson and Wales (R.I.) for a non-conference match on Tuesday, September 27 at 4:00 pm from Bayside Field.