Neumann University Athletics

MADISON, N.J. - The Neumann University Field Hockey team, for the fifth straight season, picked up a win in their first game of the season. On Wednesday afternoon, it was a 5-2 win over Drew University in a non-conference affair, their first win over the Rangers in six meetings all-time.
 
Jess Silver led the Knights' offensive attack with a goal and two assists for four points, with three shots, all on goal. Brogan Heilig added a goal on a game-high four shots on goal. Shannon Roberts earned her first collegiate win in goal with four saves.
 
The game started out slowly with both teams warming their way into the new season. The first quarter went scoreless with each team earning a shot on goal. The Knights stepped up their pace in the second but could not solve the Drew defense until the very late stages of the half. With one second remaining, the Knights were awarded a penalty corner. After the insert, Silver dropped the ball to Natalia Thomas who blasted a shot from just inside the circle for the first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
 
Early in the third, Heilig received a pass on the edge of the circle, nutmegged her defender, and pushed a low shot through to double to Knights' advantage, just 2:16 into the period. The two-goal edge didn't last long as the Rangers responded 26 seconds later, on a penalty corner shot. With 11 minutes left, a long pass turned into a breakaway for Drew, and they converted it into the tying goal. At the 2:56 mark, Neumann turned another penalty corner into a goal. The insert was placed at the top of the circle and to Thomas. After moving to the right, she slipped a back pass to Silver who one-timed it home to regain the lead at 3-2.
 
Just over two minutes into the final quarter, Silver intercepted a breakout pass and, in one motion, pushed the ball to Ayla Mergen in the circle. She was able to beat her defender to her right and rolled the ball into the corner of the cage, again doubling the Knights' lead. With 5:28 left, Cadence Conti put the game away as she beat two Rangers to move inside the circle and bounced in her first of the year.
 
Neumann (1-0) will return to action on Saturday afternoon for their home-opener as they host Houghton University for 3:00 PM start.