Field Hockey Falls to UNE, 3-0

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 1, 2022) – The Western New England field hockey team couldn't find the back of the net on Saturday afternoon, while the visiting Nor'easters of the University of New England collected three second half goals on their way to a 3-0 CCC win over the Golden Bears from Golden Bear Stadium. 

Records:

• Western New England: 5-3, 1-1 CCC
• University of New England: 5-5, 3-0 CCC

How it Happened:
Defense was the name of the game through the first 30 minutes of play as neither team could get a good chance towards goal. UNE saw their best opportunity commence in the first minutes of the game when Grace Bazin took a shot, though a sprawling Zoey Wexler would make a key save to keep UNE off the board. Western New England wouldn't be able to come up with a shot through the first 15 minutes a play while UNE shot just once towards goal and picked up one penalty corner in the quarter. 

The Golden Bears held much of the momentum in the second half, picking up an early penalty corner and took their first shot of the game off the penalty corner, though Haley Kaczka's shot would eventually be blocked. UNE's Grace Bazin was again shut down by Wexler on her next chance at goal shortly after the Kaczka chance for WNE. The Nor'easters took three shots in the second quarter, while Western New England came away with two. Each team was awarded with one penalty corner in the second 15 minutes of play. Neither team could find the back of the net. 

The Nor'easters would cash in on a penalty corner to open the second half when Sarah Padellaro found the back of the net for the first time on the season to give UNE a 1-0 lead. UNE carried the ball in the offensive end for much of the third quarter, which resulted in their second goal of the game when Micaela Jacobs made a quick pass just inside the circle to Sarah Pedellaro, who ripped a shot that went just under the arm of Wexler and into the back of the net to extend the Nor'easters lead. WNE would get one final chance in the last seconds of the third quarter, though the shot would be blocked in front, ending the chance and quarter on the Golden Bears. Shots favored UNE in the quarter 5-2 while penalty corners were also in favor of the Nor'easters 6-3. 

Une capitalized on another goal in the fourth quarter off a penalty corner when Bailey Lynch sent the ball to Shelly Tremblay, who found the back of the cage to give the University of New England a 3-0 lead. Western New England couldn't garner any momentum after being awarded two penalty corners after the UNE goal. The Golden Bears would fall 3-0 to the Nor'easters, who have won all 27 matchups all-time against the Golden Bears dating back to 2007. 

Around the Lines:

• Western New England came away with just five shots on the afternoon, all from Haley Kaczka. Kaczka put two on goal. 
• GK Zoey Wexler made five saves in the losing effort, dropping to 5-3 on the season in between the pipes. 
• UNE was led by both Sarah Padellaro and Shelly Tremblay, who collected a goal and an assist each. 
• WNE was outshot 12-5 in the game and lost the penalty corner battle 11-6. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears travel to Salve Regina University on Saturday, October 8 at 12:00 pm for another crucial CCC matchup. 
• UNE, who began their five-game road trip this afternoon, travels to No. 13 Bates College on Tuesday, October 4 at 4:00 pm.