PROVIDENCE, R.I. –- The Johnson & Wales University field hockey team posted a 7-0 shutout victory over visiting Bridgewater State University on Wednesday afternoon at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex.

The Wildcats, who were regionally ranked in 2021, improve to 5-0 on the 2022 campaign as they have outscored their opponents, 24-1. The Bears fall to 0-3 with the setback.

Senior Margaret Johnson (Bear, Del.) picked up her first collegiate hat trick to lead the way for JWU. Sophomore Izzy Ward (Plymouth, Mass.) chipped in with a goal and an assist, while graduate student Jillian Miele (Wilmington, Mass.) dished out a pair of assists. Junior Mya Bolk (Raymond, Maine), sophomore Isabell O'Hara (Harrisville, R.I.), and freshman Zofia Bangs (Stoughton, Mass.) also found the back of the net for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats scored all seven goals in the first half. Johnson's hat trick came in the first 16:35 of the contest and staked the hosts to a 3-0 lead. JWU then struck for four more goals over the final 12 minutes of the second quarter, including the first of the season from both Bolk and O'Hara, to round out the scoring.

Senior Madison Flaxington (Lincoln, R.I.) played the first half in net for the Wildcats and did not record a save in the win. Junior Daisy Sharrow (Denver, Colo.) and sophomore Rebecca Johnson (Basking Ridge, N.J.) played the third and fourth quarters, respectively, and preserved the shutout. Johnson turned aside two shots.

JWU finished with a 32-3 shot advantage for the game as well as a 15-5 edge in penalty corner attempts.

Freshmen Ashley Hamelin (Whitinsville, Mass.) and Madelyne Guidaboni (Hanson, Mass.) split the game between the pipes for Bridgewater State. Hamelin played the first half and made five saves, while Guidaboni recorded five saves in her collegiate debut. The Bears also received a defensive save from senior Jordyn Perry (Nantucket, Mass.).

The Bears open Little East Conference (LEC) play on Saturday afternoon at three o'clock when they welcome the Owls of Westfield State University to Swenson Field. The Wildcats travel to the University of Saint Joseph on Saturday for a noontime Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup with the Blue Jays.