The field hockey team emerged victorious in its two road games this weekend against Ball State and Fairfield University, both played at University Field in Fairfield, Conn. The 4-1 win over Ball State marked the first victory for the Wildcats this season, while the 3-1 victory over Fairfield was another example of the Wildcats’ ability to score.

Against Ball State, Villanova opened up the game early with three first-half goals scored from three different Wildcat players. Just over a minute into the match, however, Ball State scored first on a penalty corner. Only four minutes later, Villanova tied up the contest after junior Meg Ryan drew a foul in the circle to earn an offensive corner.

Senior captain Emily Donaldson shot on goal after Ryan’s initial execution came up short. When Donaldson’s shot was blocked, Ryan emerged to regain possession, finally putting the ball in the back of the net, tying the score at 1-1.

After two more first-half scores from Donaldson and redshirt junior Dana Ramsden, Villanova had a commanding 3-1 lead. Junior Sam Haas put the game away in the 52nd minute with a goal past Ball State goalie Tiffany Shifflett. This was the fourth different Villanova player to score. A stout defense was then able to shut down the Cardinal offense for the remainder of the match.

In the Wildcats’ final match of the weekend trip against Fairfield, Villanova’s offense continued to apply early first-half pressure.

Only 1:29 into the contest, junior Lauren Wuzzardo fired a shot past the Stag goalie to give Villanova the early lead. After another quick Wildcat score, Fairfield finally got on the board with a corner goal from Anne Nieuwenhuis that got past Wildcat keeper Maura McCormick.

Villanova refused to let up on the offensive end, registering several shots that required tremendous saves from the opposition. In the 48th minute, an unassisted goal from Haas once again put the game just out of reach for Fairfield. In the end, Villanova outshout the Stags 14-8.

Villanova will be on the road again when they enter the Vonnie Gros Classic at West Chester University this weekend. The Wildcats’ two opponents are scheduled to be No. 4-ranked North Carolina on Friday and Appalachian State on Saturday.