September 30, 2008
Shorewomen Storm Past Swarthmore, 4-0
Washington Matches Best-Ever Start at 7-1

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- The Washington College field hockey team matched its best-ever start to a season with a 4-0 Centennial Conference win over visiting Swarthmore tonight on Kibler Field at Roy Kirby, Jr. Stadium. The Shorewomen improved to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play with the win, marking the third time in program history the team has won seven of its first eight games in a season.

The Shorewomen got on the board quickly as senior attack Candace Gaull (Laurel, DE/Laurel) shot a blast off a penalty corner that was redirected in by sophomore attack Danielle Rosato (Narvon, PA/Pequea Valley) 1:13 into the game. Spadanuta later scored off a rebound of her own shot with 23:45 left in the first half. Gaull made it 3-0 when she scored off a direct penalty corner from senior midfielder Amy Spadanuta (Hackettstown, NJ/Warren Hills) and sophomore defender Sara Rutkowski (Wernersville, PA/Conrad Weiser) with 10:15 to go before the break.

After a half-hour lightning delay in the second half, the Shorewomen wasted little time in scoring their fourth goal of the game as Rosato scored off a rebounded shot with 13:34 on the clock.

Washington outshot Swarthmore, 24-5, in the game and held a 13-6 edge in penalty corners. Junior goalkeeper Elena Nicholoff (Tunkhannock, PA/Lackawanna Trail) made five saves in the win for Washington. Gina Grubb played the first half in goal for the Garnet (3-7, 1-3), making three saves and allowing three goals. Katie Ashmore played the second half, making 12 saves and allowing one goal.

Washington's previous 7-1 starts came in 1996 and 1997. The Shorewomen's 4-0 conference mark is also their best start in Centennial play since opening the 2001 season with seven straight conference wins.

The Shorewomen return to action Thursday with a 7:00 p.m. home game against Goucher.

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