BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University field hockey team battled No. 10 Wesleyan on Tuesday afternoon at Bayside Field, but ultimately fell to the nationally ranked Cardinals, 3-1.
With the setback, the Hawks move to 5-2 overall on the season and remain 1-0 in Conference of New England play, while Wesleyan improves to 3-0.
Wesleyan Takes Control in Second Quarter
After a scoreless opening quarter, Wesleyan broke through early in the second when Izzy Ounjian found the back of the cage at the 20:33 mark, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 advantage.
Wesleyan doubled its lead just under four minutes later, as Bridget FitzGerald converted a chance off a feed from Leila Feldman to make it 2-0.
The Cardinals continued to apply pressure throughout the quarter, recording seven shots and three penalty corners in the second period.
The Hawks began to generate opportunities of their own late in the half. Reese Jefferson (Dighton, Mass.) forced a save from Wesleyan goalkeeper Keira O'Flynn, while Emma Sheldon (Suffield, Conn.) and McKenzie Foley (Hanover, Mass.) each recorded shots during a late push.
Hawks Answer in the Third
Roger Williams came out of halftime with renewed energy, immediately putting pressure on the Cardinals.
The Hawks earned five penalty corners in the third quarter, creating several quality scoring opportunities. Ava Hogenkamp (Deerfield, Ill.) helped orchestrate the offensive pressure, earning multiple penalty corners throughout the period.
RWU finally broke through at the 31:43 mark when Eva Wood (Sandwich, Mass.) found the back of the cage to cut the Wesleyan lead to 2-1.
The Cardinals, however, answered just 10 seconds later when Teddy Tolbert restored the two-goal advantage, making it 3-1.
Despite the quick response, the Hawks continued to push. McKenzie Foley ( Hanover, Mass.) tested O'Flynn with a shot at 36:33, while Mya Philpott (Belchertown, Mass.) hit the post at 38:18.
Emma Sheldon also hit the post late in the quarter as RWU continued to create opportunities around the Wesleyan cage.
Hawks Keep Battling
RWU continued to fight through the fourth quarter, looking for a way back into the contest.
Reese Jefferson (Dighton, Mass) recorded another shot early in the period, but Wesleyan's defense held firm as the Cardinals protected their 3-1 advantage.
The Hawks finished the afternoon with nine shots, including three on goal, while Wesleyan recorded 14 shots and five shots on target. Both teams finished with six penalty corners.
In goal, Shae O'Neill (Medway, Mass.) played all 60 minutes for the Hawks, making two saves while facing three goals.
Wood Provides Offensive Spark
Wood's third-quarter goal marked the Hawks' lone tally of the afternoon and provided a spark during RWU's strongest offensive stretch of the contest.
Foley finished with two shots, including one on goal, while Sheldon registered three shots and Jefferson added two shots with one on target.
The Hawks' five penalty corners in the third quarter helped fuel their second-half push, as RWU continued to challenge one of the nation's top-ranked teams.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Hawks return to action on Saturday, Sept. 19, traveling to Springfield, Mass., to take on Western New England in a Conference of New England matchup. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
