AURORA, N.Y. – With 9:49 left on the clock in the second quarter, Katie Krawczyk had a one-on-one opportunity with the Wells College goalkeeper, and the junior turned it into one of the most historic moments in Roberts Wesleyan's field hockey history. Krawczyk's shot beat the keeper, crossed the line and gave Roberts its first-ever program goal.
 
The Redhawks celebrated the goal– a new feeling.
 
But Roberts wasn't interested in accomplishing just one historic moment. The team was locked in on producing the most defining moment in the history of the program: a win.
 
The team wouldn't be denied that moment as two more goals found the back of the net and the Redhawks walked away with a 3-1 victory, cementing a day filled with milestones.
 
"I feel grateful," said head coach Marissa Kocher. "There are a lot of people who have been in our corner. The amount of support I have received and the team has received has gone far beyond the walls of our building. I'm just feeling so thankful."
 
A small piece of that support came from the opposing team during the game when Wells' head coach Adair Milmoe stopped the game following Krawczyk's opening goal to hand the Redhawks the game ball. That ball, now signed by each member of the inaugural women's field hockey team, will have its place in Roberts Wesleyan athletics history.
 
"Everyone had the idea in the back of their mind," said Krawczyk speaking on the thoughts of who would score the first-ever goal. "I was just lucky enough to be in position to do so with a one-on-one with the keeper. I know anyone else on the team could have had that opportunity as well. Everyone felt very lifted up. We never had that connection before where we could celebrate after a goal, so it was cool to have everyone come together after a big moment."
 
In the second half, the Redhawks scored two more goals to take a 3-0 lead. Hope Rowley scored at the 44-minute mark off an assist from Brooke Tangelder. Just six minutes later Justine Laverty found the back of the net on an unassisted goal.
 
Wells scored in the 55th minute to avoid the shutout.
 
The Redhawks outshot Wells 22-12 while putting 14 shots on target. Roberts also created eight penalty corner opportunities. The team had not attempted one all season.
 
"Today brought a lot of challenges on the trip that most people won't see," Kocher said. "So to be able to overcome those obstacles and get a win in that fashion is exactly the type of team we want to be."
 
Roberts will now prepare to travel to the nation's No. 1 ranked team in East Stroudsburg University on Saturday at 1 p.m. The powerhouse program has a well-documented history of excellence, but success even at the smallest level starts with one win.
 
And today, the Redhawks found success.