The Wesleyan field hockey team wasted no time recovering from last week’s season opening loss, pounding Babson by a score of 3-1 on Wednesday.
In the first away game of the 2005 campaign, the Cardinals showed solid improvement on both ends of the field. From the start, the characteristically aggressive Wesleyan offense kept constant pressure on the opposing defenders, recording seven shots on goal in the first half.
After Babson scored what would be its only goal on a penalty corner, the Cardinals responded with two of their own, courtesy of Courtney Tetrault ’07 and Molly Adams ’08. Tetrault scored off of an offensive penalty-corner, a new tactic the Cardinals have just started to incorporate into their offensive repertoire. Adams, who also recorded an assist on the day, put Wesleyan in the lead, connecting on an assist from co-captain Amy Rouse ’06.
“Molly Adams played an incredible game,” said co-captain Liz Dee ’06. “Besides scoring our second, and winning, goal, she was very feisty all over the field and always gave a second and third effort.”
The second half saw more of the same action as the Cardinals held Babson scoreless and scored again at the hands of Maddie Rottman ’08. The goal was the first of her Wesleyan career.
“On the defensive end, too, the Cardinals outplayed Babson,” said goalie Caitlin Kelly ’07. “Our defense did a great job of marking in the circle and clearing the ball outside of our own 25.”
Kelly led the Cardinal backfield, recording seven saves that day.
Wesleyan’s passing game was also much improved. On both ends of the field the Cardinals moved the ball exceptionally well, keeping Babson off balance.
“We had a lot of great passing sequences this game and really connected with each other,” Tetrault said.
What made this victory all the more satisfying for the Cardinals was that they earned it on turf, a playing surface to which the team is not well accustomed.
“This was a particularly good win for us because it was on turf, a surface we don’t practice on, and we will be meeting Trinity on turf this weekend,” Dee said.
The Cardinals’ second NESCAC meeting will take place in Hartford this Saturday against the Bantams, whom they beat 2-0 last season. Bolstered by this non-conference win, the team’s confidence level is high going into this weekend’s game. The members look forward to the contest.
“[Last game] there was tons of energy and Wes FH is going to harness it and bring it to Trin Trin,” Dee said.
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