Henniker, N.H.- A fast first period powered the host New England College Pilgrims past the Dean College Bulldogs field hockey squad in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play at Don Melander Field on Saturday. The loss, in Dean's first league game, dropped the Bulldogs to 2-4 (0-1 GNAC), while NEC improved to 5-1 (1-0 GNAC). 

NEC came out of the gate quickly, scoring two minutes into the game on a goal from Meaghan McCamish. Two minutes later, Adelaide Kelly scored an unassisted markers to double the Pilgrims advantage. Midway through the first period, Kylee Henriquez added another goal for the Pilgrims, extending their lead to 3-0. In the closing moments of the first frame, NEC added a fourth goal, again from Henriquez, to enter the quarter break with a commanding 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs settled down in the second and third quarters, keeping the Pilgims off the board due to stellar goaltending play from freshman Sara Gardner (Hampstead, Md.). Early in the fourth, NEC scored two goals in the span of a minute to push the game out of reach, the first from Taylor Bailey, and the second off the stick of Kelly. Henriquez added her third goal of the game a minute later for the 7-0 final. 

First-year Emily Yazzetti (Mahopac, N.Y.) led Dean with three shots, with one on goal. Gardner played 45 minutes in relief and made 11 saves while surrendering three goals. Junior Allie Stockwell (Burrilville, R.I.) started the game and made two saves while allowing four goals.

NEC held a 23-3 edge in shots and 9-3 advantage in penalty corners. The Bulldogs combined for 13 saves to New England College's one.

Next up for the Bulldogs is a home contest on Wednesday against Rivier at 4:00 p.m.