MIDDLETOWN, CT. – Soaring high in their season opener, the Wesleyan women's soccer team banded together in a dominating 7-0 shutout win over the University of Mount Saint Vincent on Saturday afternoon at Jackson Field. On a day where seven Cardinals scored, Katie O'Connell '25 was the key piece as the senior registered a five-point game including a single-game team record three assists.

O'Connell, scoring her own goal in the second half, assisted on three of the seven Cardinals goals that found their way behind Dolphin's goalkeeper, Javiera Sanchez. O'Connell's five points are only one short of the six-point night the senior recorded against Western Connecticut State last October, the Cardinals' last 7-0 win.

Three of the seven goals scored by the Cardinals came courtesy of first-years, starting with Sheridan Snow '28 who broke open the scoring in the 10th minute of play. O'Connell took the free kick above the penalty box before Snow got a touch inside the box for her first career goal.

With 20 minutes of game action completed, Molly Brumbach '26 switched the field, lofting the ball over midfield. Stefanie Stoj '26 settled the ball down and passed on to O'Connell who flicked the ball to Riley Buehler '26 who's shot from the top of the box bounced off the fingers of Sanchez.

Opening the second half, O'Connell's goal came less than one minute into play. Stoj drove down the left side of the field and into the box before centering for O'Connell right in front. The senior made no mistake, as her shot slotted home inside the right post.

Maria Utz '27 got in on the scoring with an unassisted marker three minutes later. Collecting the ball out above the box with zero hesitation, Utz carried on her favored left foot before sliding home her first of the season into the back of the net.

O'Connell's third assist set up Zoey Fagnan '26 down the right side of the field. Driving upfield from her right back position, Fagnan had very little goal to shoot at as she carried towards the end line, but her perfectly placed shot found it's way inside the left post to make it 5-0 Cardinals. 

Meredith Feiner '28 scored goal number six for the Cardinals off the head of Ima Kellerman. Kellerman made the save on an attempt by Utz, but the ball fell at the feet of Feiner for the direct opportunity on goal.

The final goal of the night came in the 82nd minute off the foot of Taylor Hill '28 out at the top of the box on an assist from Meghan Noe '27.

As the Cardinals outshot the Dolphins 13-2 in the second half, the Cardinals goalkeeping duo of Brumbach and Juliette Vemmer '25 made two saves total. Sanchez finished the game for the Dolphins with seven saves.

The Cardinals return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 11, when they host WPI at Jackson Field, beginning at 4:30 P.M.