(EWING, N.J.) – The season came to an end for the Wilson field hockey team as it fell to No. 15 College of New Jersey in the first round of the NCAA Championships. The Phoenix went up against one of the most successful programs in Division III history, but the Lions were too much and move on to play the defending national champions Middlebury.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 0, No. 15 TCNJ 7
Venue: TCNJ Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex
Records: Wilson 12-4, No. 15 TCNJ 13-6
How It Happened
- TCNJ went on the attack immediately from the first whistle and the Lions were soon rewarded with a penalty corner within the first minute. The hosts made it count as Carly Cole scored the first goal 40 seconds into the game. From there the Phoenix did well to stop TCNJ's shots and Allyson Shindler (Sr., Manchester, Pa. / Northeastern) made three saves before the end of the frame. Unfortunately for Wilson, TCNJ was awarded another penalty just before the end of the quarter and the Lions scored again to take a 2-0 lead into the second.
- The Lions kept the pressure on in the second quarter with another pair of goals. They had two more shots on goal, but Hailey Steele (So., Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville) made a pair of defensive saves to keep the score at 3-0 at the time.
- TCNJ went on to score three more goals to set up the final score. The first of those came early in the third quarter. Another goal to start the fourth made it 6-0 and the final score came with 9:28 to go.
Inside The Numbers
- The Phoenix spent most of the game on defense. There were a few opportunities they moved the ball to the offensive zone, but each time TCNJ was quick to recover. As a result the Lions outshot Wilson 37-0 overall. Of those 17 were on goal.
- Corners also heavily favored the Lions 24-0 with 15 in the first half. They proved pivotal as many goals were set up on penalty corners.
Up Next
The Phoenix will head to the offseason with plenty of accomplishments to their credit. Seven players were just named to the All-CSAC team and outgoing seniors will leave the program as one of the most successful teams in Wilson history.
