COLCHESTER, Vt. - To open the 2024 season, the transfer Amanda Duke and Katie Marchiani earned their first goals in the red and black as the Mansfield Mountaineer field hockey team (1-0) defeat Southern Connecticut State (0-1), 2-0, at the Best Western Windjammer Fall Classic, hosted by Saint Michael's College.

Mansfield did not skip a beat to start the 2024 campaign and their goal of back-to-back Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) postseason berths. In the first 15 minutes, the team combined for six shots, with two on goal from Kenedy Stroup, and force five corners in the early quarter.

Southern Connecticut State gave the Mounties a scare, earning their first penalty corner 35 seconds into the second quarter and slicing their first shot off a Mountie stick.

The Mountaineers regained momentum, landing three penalty corners in just 21 seconds, but could not capitalize on their chances.

Both teams made final strides in the final minutes before halftime, but August Lewis and the Owls goalkeeper were both credited with two crucial saves to take the season opener into the locker room with no cages rattling in the first half.

Mansfield held the game in their hands in the first half, taking ten penalty corners to the Owls three and sent five shots on goal at the Owls defense.

To open the second half, Jenna Duke registered her first shot as a Mountie, but the Southern Connecticut State goalkeeper remained dominant on defense with another save. A quiet quarter only saw the Owls earn a penalty corner in the final 13 seconds, but the Mountaineer defense held the Owls to another blank chance as the teams headed into the final 15 minutes, deadlocked at 0-0.

Mansfield went on the offensive, posting four penalty corners and two shots on goal in the first seven minutes of the final quarter, but A. Duke sent home the first goal of the season for the Mountaineers, with a backdoor pass for her to tip in from an assist from Melanie Esh.

Katie Marchiani doubled the scoring for the Mounties, with an insurance goal with a minute and a half remaining to stamp the first victory of the season for the program, 2-0.

UP NEXT:  
Mansfield finishes the Best Western Windjammer Fall Classic tomorrow, with an 11 a.m. start time in their September 8 contest against the host, Saint Michael's College.