Field Hockey wins home opener over JWU

Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. - The Roger Williams University Field Hockey team claimed its first victory of the season, nabbing a 3-2 victory over Johnson & Wales University Saturday evening in the Hawks' first home game of the year.

Johnson & Wales managed to get on the scoreboard first, notching a goal in the fifth minute. Lindsey Winchester grabbed a pass from Katarina Brunette (Cohoes, N.Y.) to put the Wildcats up 1-0.

The Hawks struggled to get their offense going, being held to only one shot throughout most of the first half. RWU threatened to score around the 16-minute mark, when Alexandra Baxter (Groton, Mass.) sent a long pass up the middle to Elizabeth Whitney (Upton, Mass.) that got through a couple of Wildcat defenders. Unfortunately for Whitney, she could not corral the ball cleanly before JWU's last line of defense managed to clear it away.

The second part of the first half became a different story, as the Hawks' offensive attack began to pick up. RWU tallied three shots over the final ten minutes of the period, including the game-tying score. Meghan Curran (West Milford, N.J.) knocked in the equalizer with just under a minute to play in the half to make it a 1-1 game entering halftime.

In the second half, Roger Williams wasted little time picking up where they left off, keeping the offensive pressure on the Wildcats. It would pay off, as Katherine Mahoney (West Suffield, Conn.) knocked in a loose ball on the left side of the goal in the opening minute of the half to put the Hawks on top 2-1.

The Hawks added one more goal in the 54^th minute on a penalty shot by Stephanie Yaeger (Gansevoort, N.Y.). Yaegar was taken down inside the arc as she made her way down the middle of the field on a one-on-one fast break. She would then step up to take the penalty shot and bury it in the upper left corner.

The goal proved to be crucial for Roger Williams, as Johnson & Wales came back with a goal late in the game. Adriana Scala (Valley Cottage, N.Y.) scored two minutes later to bring the Wildcats back within one. However, the Hawks kept JWU off the board for the final 14 minutes and hold on for the win.

Mya Lunn (Marion, Mass.) earned her first collegiate win, needing only one save. Shannon Yoder (Boyertown, Pa.) took the loss, making three saves in the game.

Roger Williams (1-1) will host Wesleyan Tuesday evening, whiie Johnson & Wales (0-2) hosts Elms on Wednesday.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Alexandra Baxter: D; 5' 4"; Junior

#4 Meghan Curran: MF; 5' 4"; Junior

#8 Katherine Mahoney: F; 5' 1"; Junior

#15 Elizabeth Whitney: F; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#11 Stephanie Yaeger: MF; 5' 8"; Junior

#99 Mya Lunn: GK; 5' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#14 Alexandra Baxter
: 5' 4"; Junior
: D

#4 Meghan Curran
: 5' 4"; Junior
: MF

#8 Katherine Mahoney
: 5' 1"; Junior
: F

#15 Elizabeth Whitney
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: F

#11 Stephanie Yaeger
: 5' 8"; Junior
: MF

#99 Mya Lunn
: 5' 1"; Freshman
: GK