It is not very often that a team completes its first four games undefeated. Even more rare is when a team can shut out its opponents in those victories. For the field hockey team, this difficult feat became a reality on Sept. 7, as it won its fourth straight game, shutting out the Fairfield Stags 4-0. Beginning the season with four shutouts is a never-before-accomplished feat in Villanova field hockey’s 34-year history.

“Every time you start off a season with a winning record, it’s a huge positive for the team spirit,” sophomore midfielder Lauren Wuzzardo said. “We know that we have worked hard all preseason, and now we just have to apply our preparation to every game we play.”

At Villanova Stadium, sophomore goalkeeper Maura McCormick completed her seventh career shutout, four of which have been recorded in just the first two weeks of the season. Sophomore forward Dana Ramsden led the Wildcats in points with a goal and two assists. The team’s strong offensive initiative was set off by Wuzzardo, who scored her second goal of the season just 4.5 minutes into the game, assisted by freshman Abby Sordoni.

In the beginning of the second half, Sordoni struck again off a pass from Ramsden in midfield. Sordoni’s first goal of the season pushed Villanova ahead to a 2-0 lead, which the Stags’ offense could not recover from. Junior Emily Donaldson followed later with a tip-in goal off Ramsden’s shot to make it 3-0 with just 10 minutes left to play. After two notable assists, Ramsden scored her fifth goal of the season, assisted by sophomore Meg Ryan to end the game with a decisive 4-0 victory.

Prior to the victory over Fairfield, the Wildcats took on La Salle on Sept. 5. The 3-0 victory over the Explorers marked the team’s third straight win, with a strong Ramsden-led offense. The Wildcats put up a 1-0 lead after just two minutes, as Ramsden scored on a penalty corner set up by Sordoni. One goal was not enough for Ramsden though; she managed to put a second in the net off an assist from Wuzzardo halfway through the first period. Just before the half, Sordoni perfectly positioned the ball to allow junior Jenn Nazarethian to score her first goal of this year. La Salle took two shots on goal, but they were unsuccessful.

Undoubtedly, this record-breaking start is extremely motivating for the young team.