CANTON, NY – The University of Rochester field hockey team posted its second straight win to begin conference play on Sunday, defeating host St. Lawrence University 2-0 at Hall-Leet Stadium.
Rochester's victory pushes the Yellowjackets record to 11-2 on the season and 2-0 in the Liberty League, holding down the top spot in the conference along with Vassar. St. Lawrence falls to 3-6 overall and is 0-3 in conference games.
It was a defensive battle in the first period, just four shots total, all by St. Lawrence, none of which ended on frame.
Rochester's first shot of the contest in the second quarter was an open look from the right wing off the stick of
Kristina Fedorova, a blast that was kicked away by Elizabeth Walsh in the SLU goal.
On the next ensuing penalty corner, Fedorova and
Sophia Cuneo both had good looks, but Walsh made two more saves to keep the game scoreless.
Late in the half, the Yellowjackets were able to break the shutout on a transition goal. After a blocked shot in the defensive end by
Abigal Mateer, the ball made its way up the midfield to
Cori Freundlich along the right side.
Freundlich's pass went up into the circle to
Erin Foley who spun around and blasted a hard right wing shot to the low left corner of the cage for the 1-0 lead. Foley leads the Yellowjackets with six goals on the season.
URochester's lead doubled to 2-0 with under six minutes to play in the third quarter on the Yellowjackets third shot attempt of the period.
Following a penalty corner by
Sophia Marcotte, the ball made its way to Anya Areseneau at the edge of the circle. Arseneau slipped a pass to an open
Sophia Cuneo who crossed the ball in front. At the goal mouth,
Elena Mendoza settled, spun around and took a backhand shot that found the low right corner of the cage. Mendoza's tally was her first career goal.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Saints tried to get on the board, but strong defensive plays in the circle by
Cassidy Romano and
Kara Houston kept SLU off the board. An initial shot off a penalty corner by Maddy Shaw was headed for the cage, but Romano stuck out her stick on the goal line and swept the ball away.
On the rebound, Charlotte Lehr had an attempt at the left post kicked away by Houston in the Yellowjacket goal.
Looking to increase the lead, Cuneo and Marcotte each had strong strikes right on goal with under six minutes on the clock. Both attempts from in close on the right side of the circle were kicked away by Walsh for saves.
The St. Lawrence keeper ended with nine saves on the day. Meanwhile, Houston picked up the shutout for Rochester, making four saves.
Up next for the Yellowjackets is its final non-conference matchup of the season, as URochester hosts SUNY Geneseo at Fauver Stadium on Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m.
