FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Johnson & Wales University (RI) field hockey team captured its second-straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship with a 3-1 win over Simmons University Saturday afternoon at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex.

Graduate student Jillian Miele scored a pair of goals – including the game-winner early in the third quarter – and senior Margaret Johnson added an insurance marker late in the fourth. The wins sends the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament for the second-consecutive season.

Simmons (16-3) opened the scoring at 6:28 when Hannah Groves found the back of the net for her eight goal of the season. Miele responded 55 seconds later with her 24th marker of the season to even the game at one with the assist going to freshman Zofia Bangs.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Miele converted a pass from freshman Mei Tobin into her 84th career tally. Johnson pushed the lead to 3-1 with 2:13 remaining in regulation off a feed from sophomore Haley Budenas.

JWU (19-1) outshot the Sharks 17-9. Senior goalie Madison Flaxington recorded four saves and moved to 19-1 on the season.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Colby-Sawyer: Aoife Daly, Lauren Wilkinson
Lasell: Mckensie Lennon, Lily Stark
Simmons: Riley Lambert, Emila Elko, Sydney Gonyea
Johnson & Wales: Madison Flaxington, Hailey Budenas, Katie Sloan, Margaret Johnson, MVP Jillian Miele