DOVER, Del. -- One of the best ways to rebound from a disappointing loss is to record an exhilirating win the next time out.

Virginia Wesleyan College's field hockey team did just that on Sunday, outlasting the Wolverines of Wesley College 4-3 in a shootout. Junior Tanya Puccio (Moorpark, Calif./Moorpark) came through with the winning shot for the Marlins in the shootout.

Virginia Wesleyan (7-5), which bounced back from a 2-0 loss on Saturday, scored first in the game when senior Kelly Mullahy (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford) fired the ball into the cage, assisted by Skye Winship (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes) on a penalty corner in the 14th minute.

VWC rode the 1-0 lead into the second half when Wesley (8-6) used goals by Brittany Blacksten an Renee Schneider to move in front 2-1. But, the Marlins came back  impressively, scoring twice in a span of eight minutes to take a 3-2 lead.  Mullahy scored in the 55th minute, assisted by Taylor Lober (Wilmington, Del./Concord), and Lober connected on a hard shot from the right to give VWC the lead in the 63rd minute.

Wesley averted the loss and forced the overtime when Lauren Niezgoda (Magnolia, Del./Caesar Rodney) scored as time expired in regulation.

Neither team could muster a goal during the overtime sessions and the game moved into a shootout session.

Kirsten Olson (Springfield/Lorton South County)played in goal for Virginia Wesleyan and recorded 11 saves.  Junior Jenny Wilkins (Chesapeake/Virginia Beach Bishop Sullivan Catholic) contributed to the defensive effort with a pair of defensive saves.

Virginia Wesleyan finished the game with a 26-23 advantage in shots, while Wesleyan held the edge in penalty corners, 19-15.

Virginia Wesleyan plays again on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Lynchburg College in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action at 1 p.m.  The Marlins also play on Sunday, Oct. 20, hosting Division II Limestone College, currently ranked No. 8 nationally, at 1 p.m.

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