EDWARDSVILLE – An offense that controlled play for most of the game and a defense that smothered opponent opportunities led the Wilkes University field hockey team to a 2-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham in a Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom tournament semifinal rematch from last season at Schmidt Stadium on Friday evening.

The Lady Colonels improved to 2-0 in MAC Freedom play and 8-3 overall with the victory.

Wilkes controlled the first 10 minutes of play, out shooting the Devils 5-1 while securing the game's first penalty corner.

Both teams traded opportunities until the 32^nd minute when freshman Gianna Gennetts (West Pittston, PA/Wyoming Area) rocketed a shot through traffic from the top of the circle that found its way to the back of net to give the Lady Colonels a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

FDU-Florham started the second half on the attack, outshooting Wilkes 4-0 and securing three penalty corners, but sophomore Dallas Kendra (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) was up to the task each time.

The Lady Colonels struck again in the 57^th minute to take a 2-0 lead. Wilkes was awarded a penalty corner, to be taken by sophomore forward Megan Kane (Kingston, PA/Wyoming Valley West). Kane passed to sophomore Haley Gayoski (Forty Fort, PA/Wyoming Valley West), who found junior Marissa Surdy (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) for the goal.

The Devils stayed on the attack for the rest of the game but Kendra and the rest of the rest of the defense kept FDU-Florham off the board to secure the shutout for Wilkes and preserve the spotless MAC Freedom record.

Kendra earned her fifth shutout of the season, making seven saves.

The Lady Colonels return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Elizabethtown College for a 4:30 p.m. non-conference game.