Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Field Hockey team began 2017 with a 2-1 win over Johnson & Wales University, marking the team's first season-opening win since 2014.
 
In the 10^th minute, Johnson & Wales came close to putting the first goal of 2017 on the board. The Wildcats' Natalie Rivas (Andover, N.J.) took a pass from the right side and made her way down the middle. She had a good look on net, but pushed her attempt wide right.
 
Five minutes later, she would have another chance to score for JWU. She found herself with the ball past the keeper and launched a waist-high shot to the right corner. Fortunately for the Hawks, Anna Vasaturo (Pittsford, N.Y.) served as the last line of defense and batted away the shot, keeping JWU off the scoreboard.
 
The Hawks made a push with seven minutes left getting a pair of back-to-back shots on goal by Emma Stevens (Brewster, Mass.) and Lillian McNeil (Marshfield, Mass.). JWU keeper Claire Nolan (West Bridgewater, Mass.) would save both attempts, helping to keep the game scoreless.
 
Four minutes later on the other end, Johnson & Wales logged the first goal of 2017. Shaina Thompson (Delmar, Del.) pushed a pass to the right side to Adriana Scala (Valley Cottage, N.Y.) who converted a shot to the right corner of the goal for a 1-0 Wildcat lead.
 
Johnson & Wales brought the pressure offensively early on in the second quarter. The Wildcats logged four shots and two penalty corners in the first ten minutes of play, including an attempt by Rivas that was punched over the goal by Hawk keeper Mya Lunn (Marion, Mass.).
 
Roger Williams came close to putting a shot on the board in the 48^th minute, with Lea Peterson (Upton, Mass.) pushing a short pass to Stevens set up on the left side. She had a chance to put a shot up but just missed the opportunity.
 
The Hawks managed to break through in the 52^nd minute, when Sydney McCarthy (Little Falls, N.Y.) brought the ball down the right side and found Taylor Powell (Windham, N.H.) in the left corner. Powell slipped a shot just past the keeper to tie the game at one apiece.
 
McNeil proved to be the heroine of the game, scoring the game winner with just under seven minutes to go. Alex Coppinger (Guilderland, N.Y.) sent a pass up the middle to McNeil, who then backed her way towards the goalie then turned and fired one into the back of the goal.

Lunn picked up the win for RWU, making four saves on the day, while Nolan had five saves in the loss.
 
Roger Williams (1-0) hosts Wesleyan on Tuesday while Johnson & Wales (0-1) has its home opener on Wednesday.