CHARLOTTE, N.C — Playing in the second edition South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Field Hockey Championship, the second-seeded Wolves of Newberry College fell 3-1 to third-seeded Limestone College. The Wolves’ record moves to 13-5 capping of a historic run for the program.
The Saints got off to a crucial early lead and held on despite the Wolves resilient effort to equalize, handing Newberry a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat in the tournament’s semifinal round Friday night.
The Wolves held their head up high after the defeat, considering it was undoubtedly the best year the program has seen since it’s commencement in 2013.
“The game didn’t end the way we wanted but the season went exactly how we envisioned and expected,” said Head Coach Hannah Dave. “We are so proud of the heart this team has put into the program and especially into each other.
“Every team out there considers themselves one big family but it is extremely hard to explain to everyone the bond that this family has. They are teammates, they are best friends, and they are sister Wolves. This is a very special group of ladies and there will never be another 2019 Newberry Field Hockey. We are forever grateful of the memories this season has brought us.”
The Wolves were able to bounce back from an early 2-0 deficit in the first eight minutes of the game. The Saints came out of the gate flying, pressing the Wolves defense until they cracked the scoreboard in the third minute of play and found a second goal in the eighth minute. Newberry showed grit as they did not let a two goal punch get in their way of making a comeback. The Wolves were awarded a penalty corner in the 10th minute, giving them the opportunity needed to pressure the Saints into a tight game. Kristyna Oyola was able to score her ninth goal of the season, soaring a rocket of a shot off the Saints’ keeper high into the goal to make the game interesting.
Newberry took control of the game in the second quarter, maintaining the majority of the possession for 15 minutes. The Wolves kept the ball in the Saints defensive half, charging up the field as Farai Kawonde fought through challenges to keep the ball and make a run towards the cage.
Out of the break, a goal scored by Keaghan Keracher in the 37th minute of play gave the Saints the goal they needed to pull away from the Wolves. Newberry fought hard to make something happen on the offensive end but the Saints locked down, pulling several players back on defense to hold out. The Wolves had several close opportunities in the fourth quarter, as Brady Keeler and Kawonde found themselves in front of net, barley missing the mark.
Senior forward Oyola led the Wolves offense with three shots, three on target, but Daisey Ruhle made timely stops for the Saints in the net.
Chantel Gauthier continued her year long dominance in the Midfield, hustling to every 50-50 ball. Gauthier was able to dispossess players and go straight into attack, finding players on the outside flanks.
Charlotte Bragard finished off an impressive year for the Wolves with over 60 saves in the cage. The freshmen from Belgium saved the Wolves from several goals this evening, recording five saves.
The Saints out-shot Newberry on the day, 10-7, and drew three penalty corner opportunities to two by the Wolves.
Although Newberry’s run came to an end, the Wolves broke several records throughout the year. The Wolves were able to hold a 1-0 against No.1 Millersville going into the fourth quarter before falling 3-1. The Wolves took on that momentum to beat No. 10 Indiana University of Pennsylvania 2-0.
They kept the ball rolling, picking up several conference wins to push them to the top of the standings. The team went on to defeat two opponents for the first time in the program’s seven-year history, Limestone and Bellarmine, on their way to the winningest season in program history.