By Dominic Rapposelli
Business and Distribution Manager
Washington College field hockey secured their first multiple score game in a 4-0 home shutout on Sept. 24 to the Gwynedd Mercy Griffins. The Shorewomen lost their previous two matchups to the Griffins.
The team had contributions throughout the roster including a few Shorewomen who notched their first collegiate goal. One contributor was sophomore Emma Campbell.
“It’s something I’ve been working on for a long time and I’m glad I got the opportunity to execute,” Cambell said.
The Shorewomen got multiple scoring opportunities and cash in on four of them. Creating these moments is something that WC had been working on going into the contest after suffering a few shutout losses at the hands of their previous adversaries.
“We were able to build offensive opportunities and capitalize on some tactics we have been practicing this season so far,” head coach Alex Calder said.
The Shorewomen were able to attempt twenty-one shots and sixteen penalty corners in the victory.
“We really generated a lot of offensive opportunities and were able to capitalize on them, which we’ve been working hard at all season,” sophomore Celia Long said.
Head Coach Alex Calder face dher former team in the Griffins, where she led them to postseason berths two of her three years at the helm before taking over at WC.
“It was a bittersweet moment for me, because I will always wish success for Gwynedd Mercy and the program,” Calder said. “Of course now I find WAC my home, so I was very pleased with our team for accomplishing many of the goals we set for ourself.”
Calder and the Shorewomen jumped out early with a three goal first quarter, starting with a goal from sophomore MaryCate Anson along with goals from fellow sophomores Samantha McMahon Brynn Balliet. Campbell’s goal came in the fourth to be the last of the contest.
“It was really rewarding to see our underclassmen get into the game,” Calder said.
The team utilized their bench in order to see various contributors aid the team, hence Calder’s statement.
The team moved on to conference play against Franklin and Marshall on Sept. 23. The Diplomats bested the Shorewomen 2-1 in their first Centennial Conference match. Balliet scored the only Shorewomen goal in the effort, while also becoming the team’s leading scorer with four goals on the season.
“I feel building some confidence leading into the second stage of the season is really important, and our entire team excelled at that,” Calder said.
With the Griffins being the last non-conference team that WC would face, the rest of the season will only feature Centennial Conference opponents.
“Conference play is the most challenging part of every season, but we have some big goals this year and have been working hard to achieve them,” Long said. “We’re a very close team, so being able to celebrate each other is always great.”
The 4-4 Shorewomen continue their conference stretch with a trip to McDaniel on Sept. 27 before having a week of no games.
Photo courtesy of WC Athletics
Photo Caption: Senior Captain Alexis Tackney advances the ball at a WC field hockey home game.