Three Second Half Scores Lift Wheaton College Over Field Hockey, 4-1

NORTON, Mass. – Elms College sophomore midfielder Abby McNulty (Bedford, Mass.) scored her first collegiate-career goal and sophomore net-minder Samantha Alvino (Holtsville, N.Y.) made 13 saves, but three second half goals including two from Sarah McNicholas (Boxboro, Mass.) helped lift Wheaton College to a 4-1 victory in Sunday afternoon's non-conference field hockey game.

With the loss, Elms moves to 1-9 overall, while Wheaton improves to 4-7 on the season.

McNulty gave Elms an early 1-0 advantage when she capitalized on a loose ball off a kick by Wheaton's goalkeeper Ellie Massengill (Amherst, Mass.) and fired it into the back of the cage for her first career goal just 6:16 into play.

Jenna Rocha (Rehoboth, Mass.) broke through for the Lyons in the 28^th minute of play when she took a feed from Amelia Gage (Lebanon, N.H.) from outside the circle on the right side and put the ball in the net to even the game at 1-1 heading into intermission.

Five minutes into the second stanza, McNicholas scored the first of her two markers when she put home her own rebounded shot to give Wheaton a 2-1 lead. One minute and 11 seconds later, she struck again following a quick pass from Rocha to give the Lyons a 3-1 lead.

Roach scored her second of the contest when she beat a defender and deposited the ball into the lower left corner of the cage at the 66:54 mark to cap Wheaton's 4-1 victory.

McNicholas notched seven shots on goal and Rocha added four shots on target to lead the Lyons' offensive efforts. Massengill made four saves as the Blazers fired five shots on goal including two from McNulty.

Elms returns to non-conference play on Wednesday, October 2 when it hosts Union College at 6:00 p.m. at Leary Field.