Inaugural Field Hockey Season at Home

Today’s match goes down in Bay Path’s Record book as their inaugural home opener after adding the field hockey program this year.

The Maroon and White Wildcats fell 5-0 against the Blue and Gold Wildcats in NECC women’s field hockey action. Despite the tough loss for Bay Path, the team was able to keep their spirits high in only their second collegiate match. Wheelock finished with 16 shots to Bay Path’s zero on the game, while Bay Path had four saves.

“We did an excellent job keeping up the momentum,” said sophomore captain Brianna Consolmagno, who hails from Naples, Fla. “I just told the team after the game that Rome wasn’t built in a day. If we keep up the passion that is all that matters.”

Wheelock’s junior forward Kelsey McAuliffe (Groveland, Mass.) scored the first goal and eventual game winner in the 11th minute of play off a penalty corner taken by sophomore midfielder Milbrey Hendrix (Kennett Square, Penn.). McAuliffe, who now has three goals on the season, placed it in the back of the net off a double assist by sophomore midfielder Julie Kilcoyne (Sterling, Mass.) and senior forward Jill Chaffee (Bridgewater, Mass.).

Chafee would proceed to net the next goal off another corner. Kilcoyne and Hendrix again recorded assists in the 29th minute of play.

“It was an honor to be the first home game opponent for Bay Path,” said Wheelock Head Coach Kyoungho Ko. “Both teams played with a lot of heart, we have been working on our passing game and the scoring piece as well and it finally came together with our team in today’s first win. On a personal note, I am glad to see the sport of field hockey beginning to grow giving more opportunities to our female student-athletes.”

After the half, Wheelock scored three more goals for the win. The Blue and Gold Wildcats sole reservist freshman Ashley Howard (Gardner, Mass.) notched her first collegiate goal in the 44th minute. Wheelock added pressure to Bay Path’s sophomore goalkeeper Kim Amirault (Saugus, Mass.) and was able to draw her away from the net for the third point. Junior defender Andrea Gutierrez (Westport, Conn.) passed the ball inside for the assist.

Gutierrez netted the fourth goal in the 54th minute of play off a free swing by Hendrix. Hendrix, making another key play on the day, proceeded to launch the ball from the right side connecting with Kilcoyne for the final goal of the day.

Amirault, despite suffering the loss, had four saves on five goals. Freshman captain defender Maegon Whitcomb (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) also made a key defensive save preventing another goal against Bay Path.

Bay Path’s Head Coach Alison Rosenblat was pleased with the team’s improvement in this past week from their first match. “Our team did a great job learning, as a first year program, they played with a lot of heart…their sticks were down and are finally connecting with their passes.”