University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Columbia
Minutewomen Dominate Home Opener Over Columbia, 4-1
September 06, 2024 | Field Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. -- Massachusetts (1-2) completed a dominating home opener, claiming a 4-1 victory over Columbia (0-1) at Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex. Four different Minutewomen tallied a goal as Massachusetts kept the pressure on early and often to secure the win.
English freshman Elani Sherwood and Cara Falconer got the scoring started for the Minutewomen, each scoring their first career goals just five minutes a part in the first quarter. The Brits combined for three shots on goal and two goals on the day.
Junior Savanna Henderson also got in on the action, firing in her first career goal from the left side of the circle late in the first period. Myrte van Herwijnen and Macarena Gonzalez split time in goal on the day, combining for three saves in the decisive victory.
Overall, the Minutewomen controlled much of the action on the day, owning a 20-7 advantage in shots and 4-3 lead in penalty corners.
Breaking Down The Action
- Freshman Elani Sherwood broke the ice early, scoring her first career goal just 2:24 into the first period of play, making it 1-0 Minutewomen.
- Fellow freshman Cara Falconer followed suit, scoring her first career goal with 7:38 remaining in the first quarter to secure a 2-0 UMass advantage.
- Savanna Henderson made it first quarter trio, firing in her first career score to make it 3-0 with 1:03 left in the first.
- Massachusetts secured a 4-1 lead, as Gabrielle Benkenstein tucked in a lunging tip with 3:41 left in the second quarter.
- The Minutewomen kept pressure on the offensive third, holding a 2-0 advantage in shots in the third period of play.
- Columbia got one back in the final quarter as Nicole Campolattaro made it 4-1 with 5:03 remaining in regulation.
- Dempsey Campbell registered two more solid scoring opportunities in the final five minutes, but the clock hit 0:00 to secure 4-1 Minutewomen win.
Notable Numbers
- 1: Massachusetts earned it's first win of the 2024 season.
- 1: Freshman Macarena Gonzalez earned her first appearance in net.
- 3: Three different Minutewomen (Sherwood, Falconer, Henderson) scored their first career goals on the day.
- 4: Four Minutewomen scored in the afternoon matchup.
- 5: Benkenstein tallied her fifth career goal as a Minutewomen.
- 20: The Minutewomen recorded a season-high 20 shots on the afternoon, 15 of which were on goal.
Series History
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With the win, Massachusetts now holds a 3-1 advantage all-time against the Lions.
Up Next
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UMass continues it's home opening weekend, hosting another Ivy League challenger, Dartmouth on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and can be followed live on umassathletics.com or UMassFH on Twitter.
