There is an old adage that says when it rains it pours. This is surely what Wheaton College feels after playing the University field hockey team. Just four days after Middlebury thoroughly swamped the Cardinals 6-0, and one day after Hurricane Jeanne left much of Middletown under water, the Red and Black trounced Wheaton 9-1. The win improved the team’s record to 4-2 (1-2 NESCAC).
Right from the opening whistle, Wesleyan dominated with Louisa Mook ’05 scoring a goal with 24 minutes remaining in the half. With Mook’s goal, the Cards began a scoring spree, notching six more goals before halftime, including a second goal by Mook, two goals by Courtney Tetrault ’07 and one goal each by co-captain Jenn Wasserman ’05, Ashley Cechinato ’05 and Christy Wurmstead ’07. Wesleyan’s dominance over Wheaton was further illustrated by the lopsided shot count: 30 shots by Wesleyan and none by Wheaton in the first half.
Despite the seemingly insurmountable lead, the Cardinals continued to put pressure on Wheaton, scoring two more goals in the second half. Tetrault completed the hat trick with her third goal of the night and Wasserman added her second goal. Wesleyan finally let up Wheaton a goal with 29 minutes to play in the second half to end the scoring.
Wurmstead had arguably the biggest play of the night. With 5:07 left in the half, she received a beautiful pass from Mook. Wurmstead fired towards the goal. As the ball sunk into the back of the net, Wurmstead and her teammates erupted to celebrate the sophomore’s first goal as a Cardinal.
“Christy was in shock. She had the biggest grin on her face,” Mook said. “All her teammates are excited to see her score many more goals for the Red and Black.”
This game was especially sweet after losing to Middlebury six to nothing.“
”It was a great way to boost our confidence after Middlebury,“ Cechinato said.
Mook agreed. ”It was a wonderful game because our team was opening the floodgates against Wheaton. It was especially good because Middlebury opened the floodgates on us. We just returned the favor.“
The team showed its frustration after losing to Middlebury, but it was able to channel its anger towards positive results.
The field hockey team has long been strong defensively. At Middlebury the opposing coach complemented the Cardinals as a fast defensive team. The team has not been given much respect as an offensive powerhouse, but Wednesday game could change all that.
”We wanted to be on the other side of that type of offensive game,“ Wasserman said, making a clear reference to the Middlebury game last Saturday.
By scoring nine goals, just one goal shy of the team record which was, set in the 1997 season, the Cardinals sent a message throughout the NESCAC. They may be a ”fast defensive team,“ but they can also put up explosive offensive numbers.
The Cardinals get back to conference action this Saturday with a game against the Camels of Connecticut College (1-5, 0-3 NESCAC) behind Freeman at 11 a.m.
Leave a Reply