Camels Strike First In Field Hockey Opener

The Connecticut College field hockey team racked up a series of goals in the second half of a Thursday evening game, taking the win in the opening game against Eastern Connecticut State University. The following information was provided by William Tomasion, sports information director at Connecticut College: 

After being shut out by Connecticut College (1-0) each of the past three seasons, Eastern (0-3) tied the Thursday's match, 1-1, 70 seconds into the second period on senior forward Chelsie Rizzo's (Bethel, Conn.) second goal of the season.

Managing only one goal despite taking 12 first-half shots, Connecticut College finally found its rhythm with three goals six minutes apart in the early stages of the second period. Top returning scorer Brittany Fitzgerald (Ridgefield, Conn.), a junior, answered Rizzo's goal six minutes later to give the Camels the lead for good, 2-1, and junior forward Hanna Wagner (Sudbury, Mass.) and sophomore forward Laura Sanderson (Hanover, N.H.) followed with goals 18 seconds apart to make it 4-1 14 minutes into the second half.

Connecticut College tacked on two late insurance goals in a span of 37 seconds inside the final two minutes to account for the five-goal differential.

Eastern senior goalie Danielle Reichardt (Ocean Township, N.J.), coming off a program-record 32 saves in the team's home opener a week ago, stopped five shots to keep the first half close and finished with nine. The Warriors spent most of the first half inside its defensive circle but the starting defense in front of Reichardt of junior Lauren DeLuca (South Windsor, Conn.), sophomore Kelly Gawron (Ramsey, N.J.) and freshman Jennifer Mitteness (Waterford, Conn.) withstood the visitors' advances.

Connecticut College freshman goalie Maureen Smolskis (Kensington, Md.) gained her first collegiate win thanks to Connecticut College's five-goal second half onslaught. The second-half starter in cage, Smolskis allowed Rizzo's game-tying goal on Eastern's first shot of the match.

Rizzo was removed from the field with an injury with 13:18 left and Connecticut College leading 4-1, and did not return.

Connecticut College outshot Eastern 23-3 and was credited with 12 of the 16 penalty corners in the match.