The Kenyon field hockey team continued NCAC play over the weekend, traveling to face Transylvania University. The Owls thoroughly dominated the affair, winning handily by a score of 7-0 to improve to 2-7 (2-0 NCAC).

Despite the final scoreline, it was Transylvania that took the first shot of the game. Just over five minutes in, the Pioneers whipped a shot at the net that was confidently saved by goalie Sofia Chaves ’28. From there, however, Kenyon turned things around offensively, recording its first goal of the game less than two minutes later on an excellent finish by Henny Maher ’29 for the first collegiate goal of her young career.

The Owls found their offensive rhythm at the beginning of the second quarter, as Rigby Zentner ’27 quickly took a shot that was barely saved right out of the gate. For the duration of the period, Kenyon continued to put pressure on Transylvania’s net, but could not record another goal until, once again, Maher found the breakthrough to double the Owls’ lead just before halftime.

The third quarter was all Kenyon, as the Owls dominated possession from the jump. Within the first four minutes of the second half, Kenyon recorded five penalty corners and four shots, with the final one resulting in another goal for the Owls, this time off the stick of Maren Lawrence ’27. Lawrence did not stop there, however, and just over two minutes later, a missed shot from Maher rebounded right to her, and Lawrence calmly put it in to increase the Kenyon lead to 4-0.

In the fourth period, the Owls extinguished all hope of a Transylvania comeback. A couple minutes in, Lawrence took a shot that hit the post and just after, Abby Golub ’27 notched Kenyon’s fifth goal of the game on a penalty stroke. Seventeen seconds later, Lawrence scored once more, giving her a hat trick on the game and a team-leading fifth goal of the season. Finally, Casey Master ’27 closed things out with her first goal of the 2025 campaign, sealing Kenyon’s 7-0 obliteration.

After the game, Lawrence highlighted the team’s rhythm in an email to the Collegian. “I think we’ve really improved the overall pace of our game,” she wrote. “We’ve been working on playing at a higher tempo while still staying composed, especially against some of the tougher non-conference teams we’ve faced. One area we’re still building on is our transition from midfield to attack, but this weekend we saw that part of our game starting to come together.”

Looking ahead, the Owls will continue league play on Saturday at home against Washington & Jefferson College, whom Kenyon has beaten in five straight contests dating back to 2019. After starting 2-0 in NCAC competition, Lawrence was optimistic about the team’s chances going forward. “Our goal every year is not only to make it to the postseason but also to finish as strong as we can and make the most of every opportunity we have there, and I believe we can do that this season,” she wrote.

Sports editor Casey Master ’27 and sports assistant Ella Adamec ’27 are members of the Kenyon field hockey team.