MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Playing on AstroTurf at home for the first time in program history, the No. 15 ranked Wesleyan field hockey team put in a strong performance on the first-ever game played on Hicks Field. The Cardinals scored five unanswered goals in the opening three quarters before closing out a 5-2 win over Western New England on Wednesday night, improving to 3-0 on the season.
Pace of play on the new playing surface was evident as the Cardinals dictated the action, outshooting the Golden Bears 26-9, which represents the highest single-game shot total for Wesleyan playing at home since 2022. Four Cardinals scored while seven registered at least one point in the win, including the first career multi-goal game for
Sarah Porter '27 and first career point for
Natalie Shaw '28.
The first-ever goal scorer on Hicks Field will forever be
Annabel Cincotta '25 as the senior forward deflected a pass from
Georgia Adams '26 over a defender's stick, giving her time to set up a backhanded shot which slid inside the right post for a 1-0 Wesleyan lead midway through the first.
Minutes after what appeared to be a second Cardinal goal got waved off by the referee, Porter fired in her first of two goals on the night. Shaw intercepted a pass deep in the Western New England defensive end. The first-year defender carried into the circle where she fired a shot that Porter corralled and finished to make it 2-0.
On what was the ninth penalty corner of the game for Wesleyan, the Cardinals cashed in with
Ava Galdenzi '24 inserting to
Kenzie Mauro '27 at the top of the circle. Mauro nudged the ball to Adams who lifted a shot up and over the Golden Bear goalkeeper, who had fallen to the turf looking to take away the low shot.
Less than three minutes later, Adams nearly scored again off a corner as her shot was initially saved but the rebound came down to
Kenzie Kelly '25 who slid home her third goal in three games to start the season.
Wesleyan converted yet again on a penalty corner opportunity in the third quarter, scoring for the third time in the frame. A deflected shot attempt fell to
Sarah Gorman '27 right in front who took a shot that was saved, but again it was Porter who put the finishing touches on a five-goal night for the Cardinals.
Western New England scored twice in the fourth, with both goals coming from Haley Kaczka. She scored her first of the quarter on a penalty stroke with 6:39 left and followed with a goal inside the right post off a penalty corner with five minutes remaining.
Wesleyan outshot Western New England 26-9 in the game, putting up 22 shots in the first three quarters combined. The Cardinals amassed a 15-7 edge in penalty corners.
Porter's two goals led the way while
Georgia Adams '26 totaled three points on one goal and one assist. Cincotta, Adams, and Kelly have all scored in each of the first three games of the season.
Next up is the first NESCAC contest of the season as well as the first game Wesleyan plays this season against a ranked opponent as the Cardinals travel to face No. 24 Hamilton on Saturday at Noon.
