FH: Wilkes snags first home conference win on homecoming
Currently sitting at 2-8 on the season after their second conference matchup, the field hockey team hosted Delaware Valley for Saturday’s Homecoming Weekend match. Wilkes took the Aggies in a 5-1 win on their home turf.
“It was our first conference win and first win at home,” said head coach Charlotte MacDonald. “We had great team effort and we executed on a lot of our small passing to create space for our bigger passes and goal assists.”
The first period started off with a big drive for Wilkes as senior forward Morghan Murphy assisted senior forward Ali Dunn at the seven and a half minute mark for a goal.
“Our great passing sequences from our defensive to offensive lines created momentum,” said Dunn. “I could not have done it without Morghan’s pass.”
The Aggies tried to make a run on Wilkes’ 1-0 lead with eight shot attempts, but sophomore goalie Carly Eidle was able to save three and the remaining five were shot wide or blocked by the defense.
“It is a lot of pressure knowing that I am the final line of defense,” said Eidle. “My team always encourages me and pushes me to keep the goals out.”
Five minutes after the first Colonel goal, Dunn scored again on a rebounded shot by Murphy, taking the score to 2-0 ending the first period.
“What led to my second goal was whenwe were able to carry the ball down the right side of the field and got it into the circle after another great passing sequence,” said Dunn.
In the second period, Wilkes took off on the offensive side of the field not letting the Aggies gain a good possession. Sophomore midfielder Jordan Pugh got the ball to Murphy for a shot to bring the score to 3-0. Delaware Valley tried to gain a goal, but the Colonel’s defense blocked the attempt. However, the Aggies followed this blocked shot with a score by Sydney Keagle, making the score 3-1 to end the second period.
“We have talked about putting that hard work in early and getting ahead,” said MacDonald. “The team has been improving and growing every day, I am really proud of the team.”
Delaware Valley started off the third period with four drives off of penalty corners towards Wilkes’ goalie Eidle. She was able to gain three saves to keep the Valley at one point.
Wilkes took six shot attempts at Aggie’s goalie Alyssa Rudd and with three minutes remaining in the third period, Dunne shot from the 15-yard line sneaking it past the goalie’s arm to score for the Colonels. This created a big lead for the Blue and Gold with a score of 4-1 to end the third.
The fourth period began with two unsuccessful shot attempts for Wilkes. Delaware Valley tried to answer as they were able to attempt three penalty corners, but all of these drives were ineffective as Wilkes’ defense fought hard for their sophomore goalie.
With three minutes left in the fourth period, Murphy got off two shot attempts on Aggie’s Rudd, scoring one goal to bring the score to 5-1 and clinch the win for the Colonels.
“I knew going into this game that I had to put in the work to score to help bring my team motivation,” said Murphy.
Wilkes’ momentum from the start of the game brought them a homecoming win and their first conference win of the season.
The Colonels will be back at Schmidt Stadium on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. to host the University of Scranton in an out-of- conference match.
Baylee Guedes is graduating in May of 2023 with a major in Communication Studies obtaining a concentration in Multimedia Journalism, as well as a minor...