Field hockey 61441;nishes month with winning record

Rochester field hockey finished off this year’s warm September with an equally warm 6-4 record. The Yellowjackets beat the Golden Eagles of SUNY Brockport on Sept. 28, followed by losses to William Smith College and Hartwick College on Sept. 30 and Oct. 2. Last Tuesday’s game against SUNY Brockport began early with a goal by sophomore captain Mary DiMatteo with over 20 minutes remaining in the first half. It was dj vu for Rochester in the second half as DiMatteo went two for two for the game with another goal, again scoring with a little over 20 minutes remaining in the half. The Golden Eagles retaliated 1:09 later with a goal that brought the score to 2-1. The Yellowjacket defense held Brockport scoreless for the rest of the game, however, and Rochester emerged with the win. Freshman goalie Rachel Cahan had two saves, while sophomores Celinda Fletcher and Krista Butler aided the offensive effort with two and one shots respectively. Sophomore Kristy Johnson had the assists for both DiMatteo goals.Thursday night’s game at William Smith College resulted in a disappointing 4-1 loss for Rochester. Cahan totaled 13 saves as the Herons outshot the Yellowjackets 29-8. Sophomores Heidi Davies, Revay Wilson and Michelle Gilchrist aided Butler, DiMatteo and Fletcher offensively with one shot on goal each. The Rochester goal was scored by Butler, unassisted, with 4:40 remaining in the first half as she knocked in a rebound off of the keeper. William Smith College, who was ranked No. 14 by the Division III National Field Hockey Coaches Association at the time of the game, improved to a 7-1 overall record and an undefeated 3-0 Liberty League record. The Hartwick College Hawks, ranked No. 8 in the polls at the time of play against Rochester, also improved to a 7-1 overall record with their 3-0 victory at Fauver Stadium on Oct. 2. “I am not exactly sure what to say about the last two games,” DiMatteo said. “We had moments when we stayed with William Smith and then there were moments when they outplayed us. Our game against Hartwick was tough all around.” DiMatteo added that the team will be working hard at their four practices before their Oct. 6 game against SUNY Geneseo. Freshman Kari Plewniak added insight into the layout of the practices.”Each of us is going to pick something to specifically focus on that session,” she explained. Plewniak, who was named Liberty League Rookie of the Week for the week of Sept. 27, continued with praise for her team. “We have a skilled team, and when we play well we are unstoppable,” she said. “It was great to be recognized [as Rookie of the Week], but field hockey is a 100 percent team sport, so anything that an individual gets on this team, everyone deserves credit for.”Rochester’s next game is Oct. 8 against Skidmore College. As part of Meliora Weekend, there will also be a field hockey alumni game on Oct. 10 at 9 a.m. at Fauver Stadium.Anderson can be reached at janderson@campustimes.org.