With a wealth of returning talent at the forward and midfielder positions, it looked like the field hockey team’s success would start with the offense early in the season. However, as the Wooster field hockey team picked up two victories this past weekend, it was the defense that deserved the brunt of the credit.
While the defense won the game late, it didn’t take very long for the offense to get started in the season opening 3-1 win over Transylvania University. After missing nearly all of last season, Amanda Artman ’10 started her comeback season early, scoring less than a minute into the action on an assist from Eileen Barrer ’11. No more than six minutes later, Nina Dine ’11 notched her first score of the season on an unassisted goal.
Wooster completely dominated the first half, outshooting Transylvania 17-1. After assisting Artman in the game’s early minutes, Barrer added her own goal with about 10 minutes to go in the first half. The goal came on an assist from Briana Lynch ’11.
Neither team was given many scoring opportunities in the second half, although Transylvania did narrow the score to 3-1 in the middle of the second half. It was one of just four shots on goal for Transylvania in the entire game. On the other side, the Scots were able to come up with numerous opportunities on the day with 24 shots overall; however, just three found the back of the net.
In the second game at home against Centre College, the Scots again got on the board first, this time coming towards the end of the first half. Eileen Barrer ’11 put the Scots on the board with 3:25 left in the half on an unassisted breakaway on the right side. Defense ruled the first half, as both teams were able to muster only four shots apiece.
In the second half, offense was again at a premium. Elizabeth Dwyer ’12 provided the lone goal of the second half on an assist from Lynch in a crowded cluster in front of the Centre goal. It was the first goal of Dwyer’s young collegiate career.
Goalie Izzy Maffetone ’10 notched seven saves on the game and clinched the third shutout of her career.
The weekend sweep marks the field hockey team’s first 2-0 start in four years. Sunday’s win over Centre also avenged the team’s 2-0 loss last season in Danville, Ky. to the Colonels.
This weekend the Scots head out on the a road trip. On Saturday, the team travels eastward to Ithaca College. On Sunday, the team travels to take on the University of Rochester.