ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University field hockey team extended its season-opening win streak to three with a 3-1 victory over visiting Saint Thomas Aquinas College on Friday.

Sophomore Makena Tooley scored twice and freshman Natalee Lawrence's first career college goal was the game-winner. Freshman Avery Carinci recorded two assists.

"They have done a really good job with team chemistry and it is nice to see the connections that they have made over the summer transfer onto the field," Roberts coach Marissa Kocher said. "I am very proud of how they came back to keep pushing throughout the game."

Getting off to a fast start was key for the Redhawks, whose first two wins came with goals late in the fourth quarter and in overtime.

"I am having so much fun right now," said senior midfielder Justine Laverty, one of three players who has been a member of the Roberts' program since its inception in 2023. "We are coming out strong and playing better than ever."

Tooley, who scored the only goal in each of Roberts' first two wins, opened the scoring by converting a penalty stroke with 2:59 remaining in the first quarter.

STAC (0-1) tied the game on a goal by Clemence Papleux with 13:41 remaining in the half, but the Redhawks' regained the lead when Lawrence redirected a pass from Carinci nine minutes later.

Tooley registered her fourth goal of the young season with 8:44 to play in the third quarter off a nice set-up by Carinci.

"She has grown a lot as a player and leader," Kocher said. "She has gained a lot of confidence and is using her leadership to bring everyone along with her. She is someone that you can count on when it comes to who is going to put the ball in the cage at the end of the day."

Roberts outshot the Spartans 8-1 as goalkeeper Avery Richardson, the reigning AFCHA Division II Defensive Player of the Week, recorded her third win of the season.

Laverty said the foundation that has been established in the first two seasons has paid dividends this fall as the Redhawks have already established a program record for wins in a season.

"Just the culture that we've built and the standards that we've set," Laverty said while listing keys to this season's success. "The incoming players know what the expectations are and we don't have to keep starting all over each year."

The Redhawks will conclude their four-game homestand at noon on Sunday against Indiana University of Pennsylvania.