NORTHAMPTON, Massachusetts – University of Maine at Farmington senior Alex Bessey found the back of the Westfield State cage four times to lead UMaine-Farmington field hockey past the Owls, 6-1, in the Beavers' season opener at the Smith College Caryl Newhof Classic tournament.

The victory was the first for UMaine-Farmington field hockey in a season opener since the 2016 campaign, when the Beavers knocked off Framingham State in the season lid lifter.

Bessey netted the Beavers' first goal at the 6:22 mark of the opening quarter, giving UMaine-Farmington at 1-0 lead after the first stanza.

Jade Petrie extended the Beavers' lead to 2-0 at the 7:10 mark of the second quarter, and Bessey added to goals just over two minutes apart later in the frame to extend UMaine-Farmington's lead to 4-0.

Westfield State's Cheryl Latona got the Owls on the scoreboard with just 42 seconds remaining in the second quarter, ending the Beavers' shutout bid.

After a scoreless third quarter, Gracie Foss (7:01) and Bessey (5:03) added late goals to pad the UMaine-Farmington lead. Bessey's four goals in a single game was a career high for the senior.

Grace DiMarco logged six stops to lead the Beavers to the victory, with UMaine-Farmington narrowly outshooting Westfield State, 11-10. The Owls charted 10 penalty corners to the Beavers' five.

UMaine-Farmington completes its appearance in the Smith College Caryl Newhof Classic when it faces the host squad from Smith on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 1:00 p.m.