PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Roger Williams University field hockey team continued its winning ways Saturday afternoon, earning a hard-fought 2-1 road victory over Johnson & Wales University in Conference of New England action. The Hawks received goals from senior midfielder Emma Sheldon (Suffield, Conn.) and sophomore midfielder Eva Wood (Sandwich, Mass.) to secure their fifth consecutive victory and improve to 13-5 overall and 5-1 in CNE play.
Sheldon Opens the Scoring
After a scoreless first quarter, RWU broke through late in the second. At 26:29, Sheldon put the Hawks on the board, finishing a pass from sophomore forward Brodie Loveland (West Milford, N.J.) to give RWU a 1-0 lead.
The Hawks carried that advantage into halftime, continuing to pressure the Wildcats and generate scoring opportunities. RWU finished the contest with 30 shots and 15 penalty corners, keeping the pressure on throughout the afternoon.
Wood Delivers the Difference
RWU extended its lead early in the third quarter when Wood scored at 33:43, pushing the Hawks ahead 2-0. Johnson & Wales responded just 36 seconds later, as Lucy Verderber scored off assists from Ava Gaudette and Ava Pontes to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Wildcats looked to find an equalizer, but RWU held firm defensively over the final stretch to preserve the one-goal lead and complete the road victory.
Hawks Keep Rolling
Wood led RWU with six shots, including four on goal, while Sheldon recorded four shots with three on target. Senior midfielder Lexi Yost (Swansea, Mass.) also registered three shots on goal, and Loveland contributed an assist. In goal, junior goalkeeper Meili Raspante (Cotuit, Mass.) played all 60 minutes as the Hawks limited Johnson & Wales to just three shots, including one on goal.
The win extends RWU's streak to five consecutive victories, as the Hawks continue to build momentum in conference play.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Hawks return home to Bayside Field in Bristol, R.I., to host MIT on Wednesday, October 28, at 6 p.m.
