MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – A dominant offensive effort, led by a group of underclassmen, pushed the Wesleyan field hockey team to a 3-0 non-conference shutout win over Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the team's 2023 home and season opener on Tuesday Night from Smith Field.

Annabel Cincotta '25 took the first shot of the game but was denied by the Engineers' goalkeeper Ella Moreau before the action mellowed out through the first quarter.
 
The game's first goal came a few minutes later as Georgia Adams '26 deflected a pass along the goal line towards the center of the cage where Kenzie Mauro '27 made herself available. With space to shoot, Maura made no mistake, putting the Cardinals on the board with her first career goal.

A scoreless second quarter saw the Cardinals take a 1-0 lead into halftime. Eliza Dutson had the lone WPI shot, with goalkeeper Audrey Pace '26 making her first save of the night.

Cincotta was involved in the second Wesleyan goal as the third quarter neared the midway point. Helen Deretchin '25 lined up a backhanded shot attempt that was initially saved by Moreau, but the rebound kicked out to Cincotta who scored from the far post to make it 2-0 Cardinals.

With 11 minutes remaining in regulation, Ava Galdenzi '24 inserted on a penalty corner with the initial shot coming from Deretchin at the top of the circle. The rocket was initially blocked by a WPI defender but in the chaos at the goal line, Sydney Cameron '26 snagged the rebound and buried the final goal of the game, with Mauro earning an assist.

Mauro led the team with three points on a goal and an assist with Deretchin leading with three shots on goal. Pace earned the win, combining forces with Athena Vadnal '25, making one save each as Vadnal relieved Pace with four minutes remaining in the game.

Moreau made nine saves for the Engineers, facing 15 shots.

The Cardinals return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 9, when they head to Colby College for a 12 p.m. NESCAC matchup.