FITCHBURG, Mass.  – The Colby-Sawyer field hockey team kicked off the 2023 campaign in style shutting out Fitchburg State University by a 3-0 margin. 

Rapid Recap: 

• The Chargers dominated possession in the first quarter getting the first four penalty corners in the game. The last corner put CSC in front as junior Sabrina Lippold (Windham, N.H.) lifted the ball past Jenna Morse to take a 1-0 advantage. First year Aili Carney (Derry, N.H.) took the final shot in the quarter which was stopped nicely by Morse. In the second quarter junior Carly Bernard (Swanze, N.H.) made her first big save of the year to keep the game at 1-0 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half. First year Mikayla Thornton (Lebanon, N.H.) sparked the second goal for the Chargers driving the end line and finding first year Ryleigh LaPorte (Leicester, Vt.) for the goal for the visitors. The Falcons fired off one last shot in the first half, but it went wide as the Chargers led 2-0 headed into the break.
• Headed into the second half first year Quinlyn Moll (Medford, N.J.) tagged in as the new goalkeeper for the final 30 minutes tagging out Bernard. Fitchburg had their best chance of the day with just over eight minutes to play in the third quarter getting three-straight penalty corners, but the Chargers defense held strong blocking a shot. Colby-Sawyer took the momentum back getting back into the attacking end resulting in the third goal on a strike from Carney with just over a minute to go in the third to take the Chargers up 3-0 headed to the fourth. In the final frame Colby-Sawyer launched two more shots both saved by Morse, while Moll did her part to hold on for the shutout victory by making a stop in a last second shot. 

Post Game Press:
"It feels good to be back and the team is feeling better then ever", said junior Sabrina Lippold (Windham, N.H.). "Today was just a preview of what's to come."

Inside The Numbers: 

• It was a game of firsts for the Chargers as Lippold, LaPorte and Carney each secured their first collegiate goal in the win. 
• Thornton added her first collegiate point with the assist in the second quarter.
• Bernard picked up her first collegiate win stopping one shot in 30 minutes. Moll added a save to seal the shutout for the Chargers. 
• The Chargers out shot the Falcons 17-5 with a 13-2 on goal margin advantage. Colby-Sawyer also held a 10-3 lead in penalty corners. 

Up Next:  
The Chargers will travel to Keene State College on September 6th with a 6:30 PM start. 

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