HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker University field hockey team dropped its season opener to visiting Newberry 4-2 on Saturday (Sept. 7) in South Atlantic Conference Carolinas action. 

The Cobras drew first blood in the contest, with the goal created by a turnover in the Newberry end with five minutes to play in the opening quarter. The ball found the stick of Amelia Gajewski, who had a two-on-one advantage with Britt Kabo. Gajewski fed Kabo across the cage who was able to stash it home for the first of her Coker career. The Cobras would take their 1-0 lead to the second quarter. 

Newberry would use every second of the second quarter and then some to send the game to a 1-1 tie at halftime. After a Newberry penalty corner ran out the clock on the first half, another foul was called. Three un-timed penalty corner attempts later, Newberry would find the back of the net to officially end the half. It was Alyssa Kessler who deflected in a shot from Erin Robbins to send the game to the half tied at one. 

Kristyna Oyola would score from Gabrielle Bazemore part way through the third quarter to put the Wolves ahead for good in the contest. Newberry would add to its lead with two goals in the fourth quarter, before Ellie Mead would score her first career goal off an assist from Lisa Rempt with three minutes remaining in regulation. Both teams would create chances and put together valuable possessions in the final three minutes as the clock ran out. 

Kabo and Mead each scored for the Cobras, while Gajewski and Rempt each tallied assists. As a team, Coker tallied four shots and six penalty corners. Kayla Hnasko (0-1) totaled four saves in her first collegiate game. 

Coker (0-1, 0-1 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas) is back at home on Wednesday (Sept. 11) for another South Atlantic Conference Carolinas contest against league newcomer Mount Olive. The contest is set for a 6:00 p.m. start.