FROSTBURG, Md. -- Virginia Wesleyan College's field hockey team faced its third straight road game to start the 2013 season on Sunday and passed impressively with a 2-1 overtime victory over the host Bobcats of Frostburg State University (FSU).

It was the third straight VWC win over FSU in the series between the schools and improved Virginia Wesleyan's 2013 record to 3-0.

Seniors Taylor Lober (Wilmington, Del./Concord) and Nikki Cuthbert (Morrisville, Pa./Fairless Hills Pennsburg)stood out for the Virginia Wesleyan offense, but the gold stars of the game were attached to the effort ofLindsay Baker (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) and the defense. 

The junior goalkeeper turned in a standout effort with a career-high 13 saves against 17 Frostburg St. shots.  Her focus was key in the defensive showing, particularly in the second half when the Bobcats played more aggressivley.  Baker stopped three straight shots by Jackie Best (Fairfax Station, Va./South County), Ashley Johnson (Poway, Calif./Poway) and Amber McCabe (Lindenshurst, N.Y./Lindenshurt) in a span of 69 seconds early in the second half and came through again later in the half to stop three scoring attempts by senior Becky Randel (Columbia, Md./Long Reach) in just 52 seconds.

Baker's biggest stop of the day came on FSU's most serious threat to win the game in OT when the host team was awarded a penalty stroke at the 77:20 mark. That chance to grab the win was thwarted however, as Baker stopped the shot by Alisha Salomon (Laurel, Md./Lake Braddock) and extended the game. 

Virginia Wesleyan's defense did not allow FSU another shot in the final seven minutes of competition.  Senior Jillian Gorman (Nassawadox, Va./Eastville Northampton)also came up with a big defensive play in the second half when she stepped in front of a Randel shot for the block near the goal at the 71:40 mark.

FSU (2-3) did score first in the game however, as Amanda Lennon (Brandywine, Md./Thomas Stone) hit the back of the cage off an assist from Alexandra Darrow (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) just 5:29 into the game.  The Bobcats protected that lead through the rest of the first half, but saw Virginia Wesleyan answer early in the second half. With just 4:40 played in the half, Lober fired the ball into the net off a Cuthbert assist.

Frostburg State's defense produced a big play at the 61:22 mark of the game, blocking what could have been a game-winning shot by Lober.

Virginia Wesleyan did get it's game-winner later, at the 84:04 mark of the contest, when Cuthbert scored in overtime, assisted by Lober.

Virginia Wesleyan finished with a 22-18 edge in shots, while FSU posted an 11-6 advantage in penalty corners. Lober led VWC's offense with seven shots, rookie Asiah Allen (St. Louis, Mo./Pattonville)added five, and Cuthbert finished with four.  Randel led FSU with six shots and Best recorded five. Bobcat goalie Megan Grimm (Pasadena, Md./Northeast) posted nine saves.

VWC will play again on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. in Newport News against No. 9 ranked Christopher Newport University (5-0).

--AMDG--