Fulton's hat trick leads Field Hockey to season-opening win

MEQUON, Wis. – Kelsey Fulton scored all three first-half goals in helping lead the Concordia University Wisconsin Field Hockey team to a 5-0, season-opening win over Lindenwood Belleville Friday evening. The win came in the Falcons second-ever home game as they played in just one last season.

 THE BASICS
- Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 5, Lindenwood Belleville 0
- Location: Tomasini Stadium – Mequon, Wis.
- Records: CUW 1-0; Lindenwood Belleville 0-1

KELSEY FULTON POSTGAME

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Fulton (Sussex, Wis.) got the Falcons going just two minutes into play with her first goal of the season. Her score came on a rebound opportunity off a shot from freshman Nina Orlando (Oconomowoc, Wis.). Orlando recorded an assist on the play for her first collegiate point.

- Fulton's second score was very similar to the first, another rebound opportunity off an Orlando shot. Her third tally came off a perfect pass from sophomore Brianna Buehler (Hartland, Wis.) to put the Falcons up 3-0 before halftime.

- CUW added a pair of second-half scores, the first from sophomore Sam Dunn (Sussex, Wis.). Dunn's shot came from just inside the striking circle. Freshman Ciara Bond (Maplewood, Minn.) finished off the scoring with a rebound, her score being assisted by Rachel Larson (Fenton, Mo.).

- Kennedy Boyer (Saline, Mich.) picked up the win at goalie for the Falcons as she wasn't tested much in the opener. CUW outshot Lindenwood, 27-3, for the contest, and Boyer had to make just one save for her shutout win.

- The Falcons controlled possession throughout, which was evident in terms of shots, as well as penalty corners. CUW totaled 11 corner opportunities, while the Lynx had just one.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- CUW is now 2-0 all-time in home games, both of those shutout wins over the Lynx. Last year, in the Falcons only home contest of 2016, it was Brandi Muller who had a hat trick in a 6-0 win.

- The Falcons improve to 1-1 in season-openers with Friday's win. CUW dropped a 1-0 game in their first-ever contest last season, at Earlham.

UP NEXT
- The Falcons will take on Oberlin at home on Sunday at 11 a.m. Oberlin will be in Mequon tomorrow as they will play Lindenwood  Belleville at 9 a.m.