Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Nicole Matarozzo scored just 38 seconds into the contest and the University of New England never looked back, rolling to a 7-0 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) field hockey victory over Western New England University on Saturday afternoon (Sep. 17) at the Big Blue Turf.

The Nor'easters, who were narrowly outside the Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Top 20 Poll that was released earlier in the week, improve to 5-1 overall (1-0 CCC). Big Blue has now defeated the Golden Bears (2-3, 1-1 CCC) in each of the 15 all-time meetings.

Matarozzo notched the second marker, too, in the 12th minute, before a 19th-minute tally by Kersey Boulay and a 27th-minute goal by Alex Staples set the cushion to 4-0 at the half. UNE had a 12-2 advantage in shots during the initial 35, and recorded all seven penalty corners.

Vonde Saunders, Boulay, and Bridget Cavanaugh all found the back of the net during a seven-minute stretch before the midpoint of the 2nd period to complete the scoring.

Matarozzo, Brooke Marshall, Hannah Buckley, and Marge Gardiner also registered assists for the Nor'easters, who ended with a 26-4 margin in shots.

Starting goalie Holly Smith and backup Nicole Schena split time for UNE, posting two and one save, respectively.

For Western New England, which heads for Gordon College on Tuesday (7 p.m.), Grace Trupe made 13 stops.

Big Blue will prepare to host Endicott College the same evening (5 p.m.).