WINGATE, N.C. – IUP field hockey opened the 2026 season in dominant fashion Friday morning, defeating Wingate 4-0 to give head coach Stephen Hamill his first victory with the Crimson Hawks.
IUP controlled the contest from start to finish, outshooting Wingate 18-3 while putting 14 shots on goal. The Crimson Hawks also generated 12 penalty corners compared to just two for the Bulldogs.
Four different Crimson Hawks found the back of the cage, with Lily Fringer, Nina Stanich, Sydney Schmouder and Hayven Mumma each scoring their first goals of the season.
Senior goalkeeper Celeste Pagliaroli earned the victory in the cage, making one save on the only shot on goal she faced. Pagliaroli played more than 50 minutes before freshman Kaelin Koehler entered for the final six-plus minutes of action.
The Crimson Hawks' defense limited Wingate throughout the morning, allowing just three total shots and one on goal on the way to IUP's first shutout of the season.
The victory marked Hamill's first win at IUP and his first collegiate coaching victory in the United States.
Up Next
IUP returns to action Saturday against Belmont Abbey.
