Three Multi-Goal Scorers Helps WNE Crush Nichols, 10-1

DUDLEY, Mass. (October 22, 2022) – The Western New England field hockey team collected ten goals in Saturday afternoon's CCC win over Nichols College, as three multi-goal scorers were had in a 10-1 win. 

Records:

• Western New England: 8-5, 3-2 CCC
• Nichols College: 5-11, 1-4 CCC

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears came out firing on all cylinders on Saturday afternoon, forcing Nichols goalkeeper Sophia Venable to come up big for the Bison. WNE collected two quick shots on goal in the opening 30 seconds after Olivia Eastman and Sarah Johnston were both denied on the chances. WNE would break through after Taylor Klesyk scored her ninth goal of the season at the 4:45 mark of the first quarter on an assist from Olyvia Whyte to give the Golden Bears the early lead. Just under three minutes later, the Golden Bears were back on the scoreboard when Olyvia Whyte tallied her first goal of the season on an assist from Olivia Eastman to give the Golden Bears a quick 2-0 lead. WNE would stuff the stat sheet in the first quarter, taking nine shots to Nichols zero. WNE collected two penalty corners in the opening 15 minutes of play. 

Just 34 seconds into the second quarter Sarah Johnston would score goal number six on the year after her initial shot was saved, she was able to whack the ball into the net to get the Golden Bears on the board for the third time in the game. The scoring would cool off for WNE in the quarter, however, though Western New England would still stay solid on the offensive end, outshooting Nichols 8-4 in the quarter and 17-4 in the half. 

1:33 into the third quarter, the Golden Bears were on the board again, scoring their fourth goal of the contest. Taylor Klesyk would put a cross ball into the middle of the scamble in front, which eventually found the stick of Olivia Eastman, who jammed the ball into the net to give WNE the four-goal cushion. WNE wouldn't stop from there, as Taylor Klesyk would pick up a breakaway and slide the ball right past Sophia Venable to give WNE a 5-0 lead just six minutes into the third quarter. The Golden Bears were not done from there, continuing to pepper the Bison with shots and shots on goal. In the late stages of the third quarter, WNE would grab two goals as Sarah Johnston would pick up her seventh goal of the season on a turnover by Nichols, while Amanda Burns tipped the ball into the net after Raegan Simone would send the ball in front. Burns would collect her first collegiate goal of her career which gave WNE a 7-0 lead after three quarters of play. 

WNE would collect three goals in the final quarter of play as Raegan Simeone would put in her first goal of the season on an assist from Emily Cambell. Campbell would feed Simone would hit a one-time shot into the net to give WNE an 8-0 lead. WNE's ninth and tenth tallies of the game came from Claire Cronin, who scored goals one and two on the season. Olivia Eastman and Amanda Burns would pick up assists from WNE on their final two goals of the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Nichols would come away with their first and only goal of the game on a penalty stroke that found its way past Ella Henry, who replaced Zoey Wexler in the fourth quarter. Western New England would blow out Nichols 10-1, picking up a key CCC win. 

Around the Lines:

• WNE controlled all offensive play through the first 55 minutes of the contest. Sarah Johnston, Taylor Klesyk and Claire Cronin, who scored her first career goals in the win, had multi-goal efforts. 
• Raegan Simone, Amanda Burns, Taylor Klesyk, Olyvia Whyte, Claire Cronin and Sarah Johnston all had at least a goal and an assist in the contest. 
• WNE outshot Nichols 28-10 in the contest. 
• The WNE goalkeeping, although not overly busy in the contest, came away with eight saves, three from Zoey Wexler and five from Ella Henry. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE play their final two non-conference games of the season, welcoming both Clark University and Springfield College to Golden Bear Stadium on Tuesday, October 25 and Thursday, October 27, respectively. 
• Nichols College meets Mount Holyoke College on Tuesday, October 25 at 7:00 pm from Vendetti Field.