CLINTON, NY. – Field hockey was defeated by NESCAC opponent, Hamilton Sunday afternoon, 4-2. The two teams went into the break tied at one with the defenses holding the offenses to limited scoring opportunities through the first 30 minutes of that game. In the 2
nd half both offenses capitalized on their chances, scoring four total goals. Hamilton's offense found life in the 3
rd quarter, scoring three goals to obtain a comfortable lead heading into the final quarter. The Cardinals were able to salvage a 4
th quarter goal to reach the final score of 4-2. Wesleyan drops their 3
rd straight game to fall to 2-4 (1-3 NESCAC). Hamilton improves to 4-3 (1-3 NESCAC).
Hamilton has seemed to have Wesleyan's number over the seven meetings. The history of this NESCAC showdown has been interesting, with the Cardinals taking the first four games from 2011-2014. From then on it has been all Continentals with them winning seven straight from 2015 through Sunday's contest for an overall record of 4-7 against their NESCAC opponent.
After a scoreless first quarter from both teams that saw neither team getting many scoring chances, both were able to find the back of the cage in the 2
nd quarter. First, it was Hamilton putting some pressure on the Wesleyan defense with a penalty corner and shot on goal before finally putting one through a minute later. Some nice passing from the Continentals led to the ball finding Sammy Higgins who put Hamilton on top late in the 2
nd quarter.
Wesleyan responded right before the break with the equalizer. In the final minute of the half,
Georgia Adams '26 followed a rebound and put it back through on the second effort tying the game heading into the break.
The Continental offense came out with some energy in the second half, scoring twice in the opening six minutes to claim an early two-goal advantage. The first goal came five minutes into the half off a Wesleyan turnover at midfield. Hamilton carried it down into Cardinals' territory where Hannah Dillon delivered a nice centering pass to Tracey Stafford who beat
Audrey Pace '26. The next goal came immediately after, once again the combination of Dillon and Stafford to put the Continentals up 3-1.
The Continentals added one more later in the quarter to take a 3-goal advantage heading into the final 15 minutes. Wesleyan found the back of the cage one more time in the final two minutes of the game to cut the deficit to two.
Helen Deretchin '25 was the goal scorer, tipping in a shot from the top of the circle by
Melanie Lim '24.
Deretchin scores her 2
nd goal in three games, while Lim contributes her first assist of the season. Pace made two saves in 57 minutes.
Wesleyan will now move on to face Middlebury at Smith Field Saturday October 1
st in another NESCAC showdown.
