MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Smith Field was the site of a stunner on Saturday afternoon, as the Wesleyan field hockey team dominated No. 14 ranked Trinity in a 4-1 upset victory. Wesleyan is now 5-1 on the season and 2-0 in NESCAC play for just the second time in program history. The Bantams fall back to 5-2 (1-2 NESCAC) in 2023.
The Cardinals put together one of the most impressive single-game performances in recent memory, scoring four unanswered goals in the first half including three in the first quarter. Four different Cardinals scored and seven registered at least one point in a win over a Bantams squad that has advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinal round in each of the past two seasons.
Jumping right on the Bantams early, Wesleyan drew a penalty corner just over two minutes into play.
Sydney Cameron '26 received the insert and wound up for a shot that was deflected up and over the Trinity goalkeeper by
Annabel Cincotta '25 as Wesleyan went ahead 1-0 just 2:26 into play.
Later in the first, it was
Georgia Adams '26 who scrambled home a goal as
Kenzie Mauro '27 created the opportunity with some nifty moves in the midfield, driving inside the arc before taking a swing. The ball caromed to Cincotta who nudged the ball over to Adams at the far post and with the Bantam goalkeeper off her line, Adams swept home her seventh goal of the season.
The Cardinals' first quarter onslaught continued late on as Mauro delivered a highlight-reel goal with 1:17 left in the frame.
Ava Galdenzi '24 possessed inside the arc and played a back pass to Mauro who had time to loft a rainbow shot up and over the Trinity defense. With the Bantams' goalkeeper Olivia McMichael off her line, Mauro's miraculous shot chipped up and over the keeper as Wesleyan led 3-0 after one.
Wesleyan then made it 4-0 before halftime as
Kenzie Kelly '25 received the insert off a penalty corner and carried the ball to her right. Kelly's feed inside found the foot of McMichael but it kicked over to
Sarah Porter '27 who made no mistake, slamming home her second goal of the season as a stunned Trinity side trailed by four at the break.
Trinity pressed for goals all throughout the second half, putting up 10 shots in the final two quarters combined, all while holding the Cardinals without a shot attempt in the second half. However, nothing came of the pressure as the lone goal came with 4:32 remaining as Katrina Winfield scored off a penalty corner but the Cardinal defense executed and held off any sort of comeback bid.
The Cardinals have a quick turnaround, hosting No. 15 Hamilton on Sunday at 1:00 PM looking for a big weekend home sweep.
