DELAWARE, Ohio –
Gina Cunningham and
Sayaka Abe scored two goals apiece as the University of Rochester opened the 2013 field hockey season with a 6-1 victory at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Michelle Relin and Maura O'Connor added single tallies for the Yellowjackets (1-0). Rochester is ranked 18
th in the pre-season Division III poll issued by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.
Rochester held a 34-16 advantage in shots and a 13-7 margin in penalty corners. In goal,
Madison Wagner played the first half and made one save in 35 minutes. She faced three shots.
Tara Lamberti played the second half. She made six saves on 13 shots in the last 35 minutes.
The Ohio Wesleyan goal came from Sadie Slager with Jenna Ortega assisting at 67:33. Karson Stevenson played the full 70 minutes in goal for the Battling Bishops. She faced 34 shots and made seven saves.
The match was less than five minutes old when Rochester broke into the scoring column. Relin broke free of the defense and raced towards goal. As she neared the cage, Relin crossed the ball in front for a tip-in by Cunningham at 4:48.
Just 19 seconds before halftime (34:41), the Yellowjackets doubled the lead.
Tiffany White crossed the ball to the left of the cage for Relin to drive home.
Rochester scored three second half goals off rebounds. Abe struck at 37:48, Cunningham at 42:20, and Abe, again, at 53:27. O'Connor finished the Rochester scoring at 55:54 knocking home a pass from Natalie Drelies on right wing.
