MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – With nearly two minutes remaining in regulation, Kenzie Mauro '27 fired in the game-winning and tie-breaking goal with the cheers echoing over Smith Field as the Wesleyan field hockey team defeated Roger Williams University, 3-2, on Thursday night. Wesleyan remains undefeated through four games, continuing the team's best start to a season since 2010. 

As both the Cardinals and the Hawks were held scoreless through the first quarter of play, the Hawks opened the scoring first at 10:49 in the second quarter on a goal from Hannah Timbrouck as she slammed in a centering pass from Kelly Doherty. 

Annabel Cincotta '25 tied the game up at the 7:16 mark of the third quarter. Ava Galdenzi '24 took the penalty corner that found its way to Imani Ochieng '25 on the wing who saw her shot saved but the rebound kicked out to Cincotta. The junior forward nudged a pass to Helen Deretchin '25 at the top of the arc, who had time to take a shot which found the stick of Cincotta for a deflected goal in front of the cage. 

The Cardinals took their first lead three minutes later at 9:58 as Kenzie Kelly '25 executed a marvelous end-to-end run with the ball. The midfielder advanced the ball past midfield from the Cardinals' defensive end, all the way into the arc, sprinting her way past multiple defenders. She ultimately was met by the Hawks goalkeeper who left the goal unattended, leaving Georgia Adams '26 open to finish off the pass from Kelly to give Wesleyan a 2-1 lead in the third quarter.

Roger Williams hemmed the ball in the Wesleyan defensive end of the fourth, looking for an equalizer. Kiernan McColgan '26 made two defensive saves in the stanza to hold off the Hawks, but Chelsea King eventually found the goal after a scrum in front of the cage with less than five minutes remaining. 

Seeing the lead disappear, Wesleyan still battled and managed to win a penalty corner with just over two minutes left. The insert came from Galdenzi up top to Kelly who immediately sprinted to her right. Beating her defender to the spot, Kelly centered to Mauro who made no mistake, firing in the ultimate game-winner with just 2:02 left on the clock. 

Wesleyan goalkeeper Audrey Pace '26, made four saves on the night, earning her fourth win of the season. Hannah Brazil made two saves on five shots on goal for the Hawks.

The Cardinals are back in action again on Saturday, Sept. 16, when they host No. 18 ranked Bryn Mawr at Noon from Smith Field.