VIRGINIA BEACH -- Randolph-Macon College's Yellow Jackets came up with a key defensive play in the second half Wednesday and went on to post a 4-1 Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory over the host Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan College at the U.S. National Training Center.

Trailing 2-1 early in the second half after Melanie Graham (Hampton, Va./Hampton) scored on a penalty stroke for Randolph-Macon, the Marlins had the chance to even the score with a penalty stroke opportunity as well.  But, the shot sailed up high enough for R-MC goalie Nicole Woodworth (Culpeper, Va./Eastern View) to knock it away, preventing the tie.

The Jackets followed that with two goals by Carrie Jacobs (Orange, Va./Orange County) in the 61st and 64th minutes o pull away for the win.

Virginia Wesleyan (7-8, 5-3) started off strong and dominated most of the first half, before the Jackets regrouped.  The Marlins took the lead in the 17th minute when rookie Tanya Puccio (Moorpark, Calif./Moorpark) put the ball into right corner of the cage off a pass from Taylor Lober (Wilmington, Del./Concord).

VWC's defense kept the Jackets in check until the 28th minute when Jacobs ripped the ball into the upper right corner off a hard shot from the left side. 

That 1-1 score held up until R-MC's penalty stroke in the second half.

R-MC finished with a slight 16-12 edge in shots, while Virginia Wesleyan held the advantage in penalty corners, 13-6.

Sophomore Kirsten Olson (Springfield, Va./Lorton South County) recorded nine saves in 63:57 for the Marlins, before rookie Lindsay Baker (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) finished out.  Woodworth finished with two saves for R-MC.

Virginia Wesleyan will play again on Saturday, Oct. 29, in the ODAC tournament.  Pairings and game times are to be announced.

--AMDG--