Two More Wins For Field Hockey; Remains Undefeated

The wins keep piling up for the newly no. 2-ranked Pioneers. The women’s field hockey team topped NE-10 rival Assumption College, 3-1, on Wednesday, Sept. 21, thanks to smothering defense and timely goals from freshman midfielder Arantxa Rosainz Caloca, senior midfielder Steph Mocerino and senior forward Melissa Quintanilla.

The scoring started early as Caloca connected in the ninth minute on a bouncer that gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. That goal not only put the Pioneers on the board, but also put Caloca on there for the first time in her collegiate career. Mocerino got in on the action in the 28th minute with a little help from junior midfielder, Alyssa Lopresti, who set up the goal that doubled the Pioneer advantage.

The home team’s first half defense was stout, holding the Assumption Greyhounds to zero shots. Heading into the break, the Pioneers were up 2-0. The Pioneers added another tally in the second half, but also surrendered a goal. The Assumption tally however was the only blemish on a successful day for the Pioneers, who won 3-1. The Pioneers outshot their opponents, 17-3. Senior goalkeeper Ericka Parks was like a brick wall, stopping two shots and notching another victory.

Head Coach Raenee Savin and her team returned to the field on Saturday, Sept. 24, when they hit the road to face fifth-ranked Stonehill College. The top five showdown culminated in a 3-0 Pioneer victory.

The Pioneers came out of the gates hot and immediately got a scoring opportunity off a Skyhawk turnover. Sophomore forward Emily Miller went unassisted for the first tally of the day to put the Pioneers up early. The first half, which saw action early on, became a defensive battle and each side managed just two shots. At the break, the Pioneers were up 1-0.

However, in the second half the Pioneers were able to find some cracks and take advantage. Miller was again the catalyst, this time assisting Lopresti who was able to beat the keeper and give the Pioneers a two-goal advantage. Less than two minutes later, Miller struck again. Similar to her first goal, she went unassisted for the score.

The three-goal lead was safe in the hands of Parks who faced seven shots and stopped all of them in route to earning her third shutout of the season. The Pioneers now own a perfect 6-0 record and have held their opponents to less than two goals in every single match.

The Pioneers will look to keep the right side of their ledger clean when the team plays Pace University on Thursday, Sept. 29, in the first of a two-game home stand. Game-time is sched- uled for 4 p.m.