KEENE, N.H. - Senior
Madison Preston (Brookfield, Conn.) had a goal and an assist to lead the visiting Western Connecticut State University Wolves to a 2-1 victory over the Keene State College Owls in Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey action this afternoon. WestConn evens its season record at 7-7 and earns its first LEC win against two losses and its first victory over the Owls in 23 meetings between the schools since the Wolves brought back field hockey as a varsity sport in 2005. Keene State drops to 7-6 overall and 1-2 in the league. Senior defender
Kaitlyn Biase (Nesconset, N.Y.) registered her 19 career defensive save to become the all-time leader in WestConn's program history. The Wolves will host Nichols next on Wednesday, October 14 at 6 p.m.
"Our team was determined throughout the game to get the lead and hold it," said WestConn Head Coach Dani McDonnell. "They were incredibly tough and resilient after giving up so many defensive corners. We took advantage of our offensive opportunities and played gritty defense. Jaden made key saves to keep our teams spirits high and we continue to play hard for one another. I am proud of our group."
WestConn was outshot, 28-3, was not awarded a penalty corner to 17 for the Owls, and Keene State did not record a save, but the Wolves made their two shots-on-goal count to go ahead 2-0 after three quarters. WestConn sophomore midfielder
Ellenoire Schoen (Newtown, Conn.) scored the first goal 3:25 into the contest, converting on Preston's assist. Junior goalkeeper
Jaden Kilmer (East Islip, N.Y.) made two of her 15 saves late in the first frame. Kilmer made five more stops in the second quarter and Biase added her record-setting DS to keep the Owls off the board at halftime. The WestConn defense held off five Keene State penalty corners in the first nine minutes of the third quarter before Preston found the back of the cage with 4:46 left before the final break. Kayln Arnold got the home team on the scoreboard with 8:28 on the clock in the fourth quarter, but the Wolves held the Owls without a shot-on-goal the rest of the way. Kilmer improves to 4-2 in the cage for WestConn.
