Wheelock Swamps Bay Path 6-1 in Field Hockey Action
LONGMEADOW, Mass.- Wheelock College prevailed in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) battle of the Wildcats defeating Bay Path 6-1 in NCAA DIII field hockey this afternoon at Ryan Field. Rain did not stop these two conference opponents from battling 70 minutes in the extremely wet conditions.
Six different players tallied goals for Wheelock. Junior midfielder Kylie Hefford (Exeter, N.H.) and senior defender Michaela Ross (Mansfield, Mass.) led the way for Blue Wildcats each scoring a goal and assist in the match.
Hefford struck first in the seventh minute of play off a flicked pass by senior Milbrey Hendrix (Kennett Square, Penn.).
Five minutes later, Wheelock would take advantage of a deflected shot with senior midfielder Julie Kilcoyne (Sterling, Mass.) recording the eventual game winner.
Ross would then proceed to drive the ball from the midfield less than a minute later sending the ball inside for sophomore reservist Lucy Belliveau (Hinesburg, Vt.) to finish the shot.
At 19:46 sophomore defender Rachel Robohm (North Easton, Mass.) would send the fourth goal between the sticks after driving it from 15 yards back. Sophomore forward Despina Savvoulides (Norwalk, Conn.) would net the fifth and final goal of the half in the 30th minute of play. Coming off the bench, sophomore forward Jacky Hull (Braintree, Mass.) would notch the assist.
The Maroon Wildcats would do a more effective job in the second half to limit Wheelock from more advances. Fourteen minutes into the second half Ross would score the final goal for Wheelock off a cross by Hefford.
Bay Path key reservist freshman Stephanie Belsen (Windsor Locks, Conn.) would break up the shut-out in the 66th minute of play notching her first collegiate goal off a pass inside by senior forward Jessica Priestly (Middleboro, Mass).
Wheelock's freshman goalkeeper Michelle Greene (Mansfield, Mass.) earned the win tallying four saves allowing only one goal against. Bay Path senior goalie Kim Barbato (Saylorsburg, Penn.) tallied five saves. Three Maroon Wildcats had defensive saves for the match including freshman Anna Bankowski (Granville, N.Y.), freshman Ruth Choate (Lewiston, Maine ) and junior Maeghan Whitcomb (St. Johnsbury, Vt.).
Wheelock advances to 3-5 on the season and 2-1 in the NECC; while Bay Path is now 1-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
