HARTFORD, Conn. - The Wesleyan field hockey team traveled to Hartford Saturday morning to compete against the nationally ranked Trinity Bantams. The two teams played a back and forth 1st quarter which ended with the two NESCAC schools tied at zero heading into the 2nd. Over the next two quarters Trinity flexed their muscles, putting through three straight goals to give themselves a comfortable lead. The Cardinals fought back in the 4th, scoring their first and only goal on a Annabel Cincotta '25 put back in the opening minutes of the period. Wesleyan drops to 2-3 (1-2 NESCAC) while No. 5 Trinity continues their impressive start to the season at 7-0 (3-0 NESCAC).
 
The Trinity attack provided constant pressure throughout the first half, producing 21 shots and six corners, eventually leading to a Bantams' goal. The Wesleyan defense was able to fend them off for the better part of the first 17 minutes, before the Bantams broke through with a Katrina Winfield score. Winfield capitalized on a Bantams corner, carrying the ball to her right before unloading a shot to uneven the score, 1-0 Trinity.
 
Trinity got another one through later in the 2nd off the stick of Demaris Janis. Trinity creating a scoring chance on a corner the previous play, where Wesleyan was called for a foul. Trinity was awarded a penalty stroke, where Janis stepped up and delivered a ball in the bottom left corner to extend the Bantams' lead to two.
 
Despite 12 2nd quarter shots and a handful of other chances, the Cardinals' defense held the Bantams to two goals. Audrey Pace '26 turned away four shots that reached her in the period, keeping Wesleyan within reach with 30 minutes to go in the game. Overall, the first-year goalie recorded a career-high 14 saves for the Cardinals.
 
The 3rd quarter has the least amount of action, with only two penalty corners and eight shots total between the two teams. Wesleyan was responsible for creating both corners, creating some of their best chances to score in the game. A Diana Schwarz '23 centering pass couldn't find a stick on the first corner, while the second corner was another Schwarz scoring opportunity that was turned away by Olivia McMichael.
 
Wesleyan's offense showed some life in the 4th quarter, producing four shots and three penalty corners which eventually resulted in their only goal of the contest. The Wesleyan attack was able to intercept a ball deep in Bantams territory immediately creating their best scoring chance of the morning. Annabel Cincotta followed up an initial save by McMichael, beating her and putting the Cardinals on the board. Wesleyan was able to muster two more corners and three more shots in the final minutes, but were turned away to get to the final score of 3-1.
 
Melanie Lim '24 tied a season-high with four shots (1 SOG), while Diana Schwarz recorded her 4th straight game with at least two shots on goal. 
 
Trinity had four players with at least two shots on goal, with Jackie Frank leading the way with five.
 
Wesleyan will face another NESCAC opponent in Hamilton Sunday September 25th. Hamilton has taken the past six matchups, with Wesleyan's overall record against the Continentals sitting at 4-6.