OWINGS MILLS, Md. – With Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth play beginning for the Mustangs, Stevenson's field hockey team (3-5, 0-1) faced a tough match against the Widener Pride (6-2, 2-0) on Sept. 24.
 
The Mustangs ended the afternoon with nine shots, four of which were on goal. Junior attack Emma Gladstein added three shots to her record while first-year midfielder Cassie Malles added two shots to her record.
 
The first quarter saw the ultimate test for Stevenson's defense as Widener refused to allow the Mustangs to reach the box. In a back-and-forth contest to open a tough conference pairing, the first penalty corner came in the 10^th minute for the Pride. The Mustangs saw an opening during the 12^th minute, giving Gladstein her chance, but it was saved by the Pride's Lilly Rejrat.
 
The second quarter put Widener on the board with a goal less than two minutes in. Coming off the stick of Juliana Sanchez, the sophomore forward would continue to find the back of the box. The Mustangs made a pair of attempts in the 20^th minute, both combatted by a ruthless Pride defense. The end of the quarter saw opportunities for the Mustangs. At 25 minutes, sophomore midfielder Rylee Leakway saw an opportunity, but was not quite on target. Junior midfielder Veronica Maring made an attempt just a minute later, but could not get the shot past Rejrat to equalize the match.
 
The third quarter saw a single off-target attempt from the Pride in the 33^rd minute by Makenzie Adamson. The Mustangs' defense stayed focused, not allowing any opportunities in the quarter.
 
The last quarter brought the Pride an opportunity to find the back of the box in about a minute from the start. Sanchez, scoring two of the Pride's three goals, was assisted by Margaret Howe-Consiglio and Jesse Schlosser. Following a pair of penalty corners, the Pride boxed the third and final goal of the afternoon in the 53^rd minute from Sanchez and Schlosser. The Pride attempted  a fourth goal shortly after, but senior goalkeeper Jamie Fritz turned it away. The Mustangs were able to create a few opportunities in the 55^th and in the 60^th minute off a penalty corner, but both shots were just off target.
 
With a tough 3-0 defeat by the first conference opponent of the 2022 season, the Mustangs will look to their next conference game at Eastern University in a week.
 
UP NEXT

• For Stevenson: The Mustangs step out for another non-conference game at Immaculata University on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m.
• For Widener: The Pride plays Stockton at home on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.