Since its disastrous game against Middlebury that ended in a dismal 6-0 defeat, the field hockey team has won six straight. During this period, the Cardinals have outscored their opponents 28-4.
After dominating Wheaton and Connecticut College, 9-1 and, 4-0 respectively, Wesleyan traveled to Waterville to face Colby on Oct. 9. The Mules have allowed only four goals all season and are winners of four of their last six games.
With two strong defenses confronting one another, the first half of play was a low scoring struggle. Much of the play centered around the midfield line, as the two competing sides sought to decisively control the tempo of the game. Sophomore sensation Courtney Tetrault was brilliant, attacking the Colby offensive, breaking up passes and playing stiff defense even before the Mules had a chance to threaten goalkeeper Caitlin Kelly ’07. Tetrault and fellow midfielders, co-captain Megan Gauvey-Kern ’05 and Liz Dee ’06, were soon dominating the center of play and Wesleyan was able to dictate the tempo and apply offensive pressure, slowly wearing down its opponents.
Suddenly an overly tired Colby team began to commit uncharacteristic defensive lapses and Wesleyan was quick to capitalize. Co-captain Jenn Wasserman ’05 cut unguarded in front of Colby’s goal. Seeing her fellow attacker open, Louisa Mook ’05 fired a beautiful pass to Wasserman, who turned and fired into the cage. With just over seven minutes to play in the first half, Wesleyan was up 1-0.
With what would prove to be an insurmountable lead, Wesleyan left halftime determined to increase its offensive pressure. Colby, already exhausted and on the ropes, fought brutally hard but could not keep up with the Red and Black juggernaut.
Less than eight minutes into the second half, Tetrault stole a pass aimed at Colby all-American Wendy Bonner. With her superior stick handling skills, Tetrault dribbled around several Colby defenders and shot a bullet into the corner of the goal.
Wesleyan was now ahead by two goals, and could have easily coasted to a victory, but the Cardinals weren’t just interested in winning; they wanted to make a statement. With just over three minutes left in the game, Wesleyan would score twice more. Amy Rouse ’06 scored her first goal of the season off a nice assist by Mook. Two minutes later, Mook got on the scoreboard herself with an assist going to Ashley Cecchinato ’05 and Tetrault. Colby had played valiantly, but at the end of the day, Wesleyan’s unrelenting attack proved to be too much for the outplayed and overburdened Mules.
According to Gauvey-Kern, the loss against Middlebury sparked Wesleyan’s recent success.
“The game against Middlebury was a wake-up call,” Gauvey-Kern said. “We knew we could do better, and we’ve shown it these last few weeks. We’re starting to connect better, and our stick passing has improved.”
Following its dominant play against Colby, field hockey traveled to Willimantic, Conn. to battle Eastern Connecticut for a weekday game on Oct. 12. Wesleyan had never played Eastern Connecticut before and the players did not know what to expect. Following the same scheme used to dominate Colby, Wesleyan applied an unrelenting offense and a stifling defense as they began to wear down Eastern Connecticut’s defense. Fifteen minutes into play, Rouse broke the scoreless tie with a beautifully angled shot into the net. Wasserman was credited with the assist for setting up what turned out to be the game-winner.
Wesleyan would score three more times, with two goals by Wasserman, and an unassisted goal by Adrienne Shea ’08, to win the game 4-0.
Next up for the Cardinals was a crucial game at NESCAC rivals Bates College on Saturday, marking the team’s first game on astro-turf since losing at Middlebury. Early on it seemed as though Wesleyan had exorcized its demons on turf, as the offense executed crisp plays. Barely four minutes into the game Tetrault threaded a beautiful pass through two defenders reaching Mook on the wing. Mook fired an angled shot deep into the back of the net. Unfortunately, the Cardinals’ characteristically unrelenting offense fizzled after the goal and the team was unable to capitalize on its early lead. Bates, fighting for every loose ball and playing with more intensity, were finally rewarded with a goal with five minutes to play to tie the score just before the half.
Bates came out at the half determined to break through the Cardinals’ wall of defense and take a quick second half lead. Less than a minute into the half, Bobcats forward Brooke Anable scored on a fast break. For the first time in over two weeks, Wesleyan field hockey found itself behind on the scoreboard.
Wasserman, exhibiting true leadership, illustrated to her teammates the gravity of the situation. Weaving her way through the entire defense, Wasserman scored the tying goal barely three minutes after Bates had taken the lead.
That goal broke Bates, and the floodgates were opened. Molly Adams ’07 finally broke the tie with 15 minutes left to play on another unassisted shot. Mook and Tetrault provided the icing on the cake, combining for three goals to end the game and gave the Cardinals a dominating 6-2 victory.
The Cardinals had a much tougher test on Wednesday at Mount Holyoke. For the second straight game, Wesleyan found itself behind early, for the second straight game Wasserman would provide the tying goal on a nice play from Cechinato and Mook and for the second straight game Adams broke the tie on an unassisted goal to give Wesleyan the 2-1 victory.
Wasserman said the team has improved, noting that the midfield has been playing more aggressively.
“The midfield stopped balls early allowing us to maintain [offensive] pressure,” Wasserman said.
Although Wasserman is confident that the team will continue to win, she is not taking anything for granted.
“Any given team can beat any other team, so we have to be ready to play,” she said.
Wesleyan faces a strong Amherst (4-6, 2-4 NESCAC) squad this weekend and looks to break the 2-2 tie over the last four games. The Cardinals look to continue the winning streak, with the squad sitting in fourth place in the league with the post-season approaching rapidly. The game pits the high-powered Cardinal offense, led by conference co-point leaders Wasserman and Mook, against Amherst goalie K.C. Cosentino, who is third in the league with 67 saves on the season.
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