Conshohocken, PA — The La Salle field hockey team opened its 2026 season Sunday afternoon, falling to Villanova, 7-0, at The Proving Grounds.
La Salle came out with an active defensive effort in the opening quarter, with goalkeeper Abby Boggs making several early saves. Boggs continued to provide a strong presence in the cage throughout the first three quarters, finishing her time in goal with eight saves on 12 shots on goal.
The Explorers also found a few opportunities offensively in the opening half. La Salle earned a penalty corner late in the first quarter and put two shots on Villanova goalkeeper Maddi Sears, with Tilly Diedrichsen and Marisol Torreyson each recording a shot on goal in the opening quarter. All six of La Salle's shot attempts on the afternoon were on target.
La Salle made a change in goal to begin the fourth quarter, with Zarah Synnestvedt entering for Boggs. Synnestvedt recorded a save early in the period, while the Explorers also came up with one of their biggest defensive plays of the afternoon when Natalie Wilson tallied the team's first defensive save of the young season.
La Salle finished the afternoon with six shots on target, including two each from Marisol Torreyson and Darian DeLeo.
With the season opener now behind them, the Explorers will head to upstate New York next weekend for matchups with Cornell and Colgate, in pursuit of the first win of the Mackenzie Allessie era.
