CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College field hockey team fell to Wilson College in a 5-0 defeat on Saturday to open United East Conference opener at the Wilson Hockey Field. 

The first quarter began with the Falcons' defense under pressure as the Phoenix applied early offensive efforts. Junior Shelby Heater (Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton Area) showed strong goalkeeping, saving shots from senior Lizzie Landon and junior Lenoree Hoke within the first two minutes. Junior Kate Seymour broke through with a goal at 3:13, putting the Cedar Crest behind, 1-0.

The Phoenix continued to press, and the Falcons' defense faced a challenge, conceding two more goals. Landon extended Wilson's lead at 5:45 with an assist from Seymour, and senior Payton Kendall added another at 9:12, assisted by first year Mikayla Petersen. Heater made additional saves, including a stop against first-year Ginnah Kendall at 13:45. The quarter concluded with Cedar Crest trailing 3-0.

The home team extended their lead in the second quarter when P. Kendall scored with an assist from G. Kendall at the 25:27 mark, bringing the score to 4-0. The Falcons responded with several offensive efforts, including a penalty corner from junior Reagan Ferst (Hazleton, Pa./Hazleton Area) and a shot on goal by senior Olivia Horninger (Friedens, Pa./Northern Lehigh), which was saved by sophomore Erin Sullivan. The quarter concluded with continued pressure from the Cedar Crest, highlighted by back-to-back penalty corners executed by first-year Zoe Roth (Catasauqua, Pa./Catasauqua). The score remained 4-0 in favor of the Phoenix as the quarter closed.

The Falcons initiated the third quarter with strong offensive efforts, earning consecutive penalty corners taken by Roth and senior Olivia Wanner (Lyons, Pa./Kutztown Area). Wilson responded with a series of shots, but the Falcons' defense remained unyielding, highlighted by sophomore Gracie Domingo-Whitfield's (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) defensive save and multiple stops by Heater. Midway through the quarter, Cedar Crest shifted momentum with a shot attempt by Wanner, followed by first-year Maddie Farace (Fairfield, Pa./Fairfield), both of which were saved by Sullivan. 

The fourth quarter began with the Falcons looking to shift momentum as Wanner executed a penalty corner at 48:11. Despite the effort, Wilson extended their lead with a goal by Seymour at 51:49, bringing the score to 5-0. Heater made a crucial save against a shot by sophomore Finley Vandevander shortly after.

Wilson maintained offensive pressure with multiple penalty corners in the final moments, but the Falcons' defense held firm, preventing further scoring. The quarter concluded with Wilson leading 5-0, closing out the game.

Heater made 11 saves over 60 minutes, facing 16 shots in total. Farace had one shot on goal, contributing to the offensive efforts. Ferst also registered a shot on goal, adding pressure from the backline. Horninger recorded a shot on goal, seeking opportunities to break through the defense.

 Seymour led the offense with two goals, one assist, and a game-winning goal, demonstrating her effectiveness with six shots on goal out of eight attempts. P. Kendall contributed significantly, scoring twice on as many shots, maintaining a perfect shooting accuracy. G. Kendall provided an assist. Sullivan anchored the defense with four saves over 45 minutes, keeping the opposition scoreless and securing the win.

In their next game, the Falcons (2-9 overall, 0-1 United East) will face Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday, October 11, at 10:00 a.m. in Allentown, Pa. Wilson College (4-5 overall, 1-0 United East) will host Ohio Wesleyan University on Friday, October 10, at 3:00p.m.