FRANKLIN, Mass. – The Dean College field hockey team improved to 2-0 on Saturday afternoon, taking down Manhattanville University in their 2026 home opener. While the Bulldogs remain undefeated, the Valiants drop their first game of the fall season.
Notables:
-Prior to the game, the Dean College Department of Athletics & Recreation honored the field hockey team for their historic 2025 campaign. They unveiled a brand-new banner, forever commemorating their 2025 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship victory.
How it Happened:
-The defending champions wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.
Kelsey Blair (Carmel, N.Y.) scored just 2:16 into the first quarter off an assist from
Emily Kilpatrick (Marion, Mass.) to give the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead.
-Manhattanville generated several early scoring opportunities, but
Sara Gardner (Hampstead, Md.) was strong in goal. The junior made six saves in the opening quarter to preserve Dean's advantage.
-The Bulldogs took control of possession over the middle portions of the contest, generating consistent offensive pressure and earning several penalty corners.
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Emily Yazzetti (Mahopac, N.Y.) led Dean's offensive attack with 12 shots and 10 shots on goal, repeatedly testing Manhattanville goalkeeper Hannah Doherty throughout the match.
-Dean continued to pressure the Valiants throughout the second and third quarters, outshooting them 12-0 and creating several dangerous opportunities around the cage.
-The Bulldogs finally added an insurance goal in the fourth quarter.
Emma Gragen (Brattleboro, Vt.) scored at the 55:54 mark off an assist from
Hailey Lamping (Stanfordville, N.Y.) to extend the lead to 2-0.
-Gardner and the Dean defense finished the job from there, keeping Manhattanville off the scoreboard over the final minutes to secure the shutout victory.
Standouts:
-Blair (2
nd Career Goal)
-Gragen (Goal, SOG)
-Gardner (7 Saves, Shutout Win, 60:00 Minutes Played)
Next Up:
-Wednesday, September 9
th, 3:30PM vs. Eastern Connecticut State University (Grant Field)
For Media Inquiries:
Brett Chaves
Sports Information Director, Dean College Athletics
(508) 541-1826
BChaves@dean.edu
