DeMaio Climbs Program Scoring List, Owls Thump Golden Bears 20-9

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State senior Natalie DeMaio (Westwood, Mass.) moved to third on the program's all-time scoring list after a five-goal effort which helped the Owls take down Western New England University 20-9 in a non-conference game from Alumni Field on Thursday night.

DeMaio has now scored 11 goals over her last two games, passing Sydney Lambert '19 on the career goal list. DeMaio leads Westfield with 20 goals on the season, increasing her career total up to 174 goals while quickly approaching Rachel Dionne '11 who is currently second at 180 career goals.

The Owls controlled the middle quarters of the game, outscoring the Golden Bears 14-3 and outshooting them 23-11. The scoring surge coincided with a strong percentage of draw control wins in those two periods as the Owls held a 13-7 edge. With the game tied at four entering the second quarter, the Owls put together a dominant period with Mykenzie Black (Hopedale, Mass.) tallying an extra attack goal on a free position shot to give the Owls the lead.

Less than a minute later, Kylie Buchanan (Westfield, Mass.) rocketed home her second marker of the contest on a nice feed from Arianna Andresen (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) to increase the lead to 6-4. With 10:04 left in the half, Ella Henry (Wilbraham, Mass.) rattled home the Golden Bears lone goal of the quarter as the Owls would score seven straight goals spanning from the 9:04 mark of the second to the 12:48 mark of the third.

Buchanan tallied the Owls second free position goal of the period, then Samantha Dyer (Dover, N.H.) entered the scoring column with 7:36 left in the half, increasing the advantage to 8-5. DeMaio took control in the final five minutes, scoring back-to-back goals which resulted in a 10-5 lead entering the break.

Sydney Smith (Dalton, Mass.) played a pivotal role in stretching the lead, making seven saves in the first half including three saves on Golden Bears' free position attempts. Western New England was held scoreless on four free position shots on the evening.

Mercedes Rozzi (South Burlington, Vt.), DeMaio, and Emma Prattson (Tolland, Conn.) all scored within the first 2:30 minutes of the third to push the lead to 13-5. Lina Eves (Longmeadow, Mass.) snapped the scoring run, but Westfield continued to charge ahead as Willow Romo (Marlboro, Vt.) forced a turnover and drove towards the net where she would fire home a goal. Olivia Hadla (Westfield, Mass.) increased the lead to nine before Prattson put the game into running time after an extra attack goal with 7:33 remaining in the third.

The Owls would maintain a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.

DeMaio and Prattson each collected six points on the night with Prattson leading all players with four assists. Andresen and Rozzi each had two goals and two assists. Henry and Eves each scored three times for Western New England.

The Owls outshot the Golden Bears 35-21 with Smith picking up the win for Westfield. Kara Banagan (Niskayuna, N.Y.) made two saves in the second half. Emily Picolla (Utica, N.Y.) was busy in net, making eight saves for WNEU.

Westfield will continue their four game homestand on Sunday as the Owls will face a tough test in #16 Amherst College on Sunday at 3:00 P.M. from Alumni Field in Westfield, Mass.